Joan Sitter Haas

It is with great sadness that the family of Joan Barbara (Sitter) Haas announce her peaceful passing on Thursday, September 23, 2021, age 89, in Waukesha, WI. Joan was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: Cheryl Joan, Aimee (Sal) Stallone, Elaine (Ed) Weis, Wendy Haas, Paul (Stacey) Haas; grandchildren: Shane (Paula) Collins, Stephanie Bowlen, Nathan Collins, Natalie (Andre) Drake, Jesse (Amanda) Hacker, Ian (Kacie) Hacker; great-grandchildren: Arielle, Michael, Anthony, Trent, Lillian, Austin, Emitt; brother Joseph (Ruthann) Sitter; sister-in-law Joyce Lewis; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, step-grandchildren and godchildren. Joan was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Barbara (Neary) Sitter, in-laws Henry and Florence (Weber) Haas, brother Paul and his wife Alma Neary, brother-in-law Harold Lewis, great-granddaughter Autumn Bowlen, nephew Steven Becconsall.

Joan was born in Jackson Heights, Long Island, NY to immigrant parents and led a full and meaningful life. After graduating from Sewanhaka High School, she attended Queens College, NYC, later working as a secretary at Hearst Magazine and also at TWA airlines in their Manhattan offices. She married in 1952, started her family. In 1963, they moved to Springfield MA where she received an early childhood certification at Westfield State College, MA and became co-owner of Ring-a-Round Preschool. In 1975, they moved to Perry GA, where Joan was President of the Ladies Guild at St Patrick’s Church and active in the Perry Newcomers Club. They later moved to Oconomowoc, WI where Joan was a substitute teacher for several years. Divorced in 1989, she then moved to Tolland CT where she worked as a Librarian from 1990-2001 in the Tolland Public Library, and retired from. In 2011, Joan returned to Wisconsin where she lived out the remainder of her days. Although she lived in many different states during her lifetime, Joan was always a “Long Island” girl at heart.

Joan was a skilled classical pianist and had a beautiful singing voice admired by many. Her favorite piece was playing Clair de Lune. A fond memory was gathering around the piano and singing Christmas or popular songs. She loved the theatre, especially going to shows in NYC, and volunteered as a docent for many years. Joan was an avid reader with a collection of books that followed her wherever she moved. She loved a competitive game of Scrabble and watched Jeopardy twice a day always trying to better her score. She even auditioned to be a contestant! She had an adventurous spirit, traveling to different states to see historic sites and also the country of Greece. Joan loved being near the ocean, the smell of salt air and feeling the sand between her toes.

Joan was devoted to her family, visiting them or taking trips to attend special occasions. She loved sharing stories of her Irish and Austrian heritage, had her parents’ names placed on the Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island, and traveled to their homelands of Austria and Newfoundland. Joan was proud of her children Wendy and Paul’s time in the military and never let a Veterans’ Day go by without thanking them for their service.

Joan will be forever loved and dearly missed by her family and friends. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to VITAS Ruth Hospice House who cared for Joan in her final days. May we all have comfort knowing that “until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Arrangements entrusted to O.B. Davis Funeral Homes, 4839 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776. Graveside service on Tuesday, October 5th at 10 AM at St. James Cemetery, 429 Route 25A, Setauket, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Tolland Public Library

21 Tolland Green Tolland, CT 06084 or VITAS Ruth Hospice House 8300 Beloit Road, W Allis, WI 53219 or St Vincent de Paul Society 818 W Sunset Dr, Waukesha WI 53189.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.obdavisportjefferson.com for the Haas family.