Family matriarch
Joan Downing, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Grymes Hill on Feb. 26, 2020.
Born on Staten Island, Joan was the daughter of Clarence and Helen (Schmidt) Beckman. Joan was home-schooled during her teen years due to illness. She attended Drake Business School and then obtained a job at the Staten Island National Bank and Trust Company, where she was employed in the loan department.
Joan and her husband Jim were married in October 1952. Joan and Jim met in 1949, the debut year of the musical 'South Pacific.' "Some Enchanted Evening" was 'their song', and, as its lyrics express, once they found each other, they never let each other go. They had a loving marriage for 64 years. Jim passed away in December 2016.
Joan was a homemaker and raised five sons.
Joan was the secretary of Calvary Presbyterian Church, where she also was an active member, for 10 years. She worked at the Board of Elections as an inspector for 30 years.
She enjoyed bowling for many years in a league at the former Victory Lanes. Joan was active with an AARP chapter that met at Calvary Church, and then in Westerleigh. She was a member of the Staten Island Women's Club and the Hillside Swim Club.
Joan enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and knitting and other handiworks.
Joan leaves four sons, Steve and daughter-in-law Evelyn of Cranberry Lake, N.J.; Tom and daughter-in-law Lori of Oceanside N.Y.; Jim and daughter-in-law Sue of Madison, N.J.; and Rich of Grymes Hill. Her son, Bob, passed away of brain cancer in 1998. Joan had 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Hope, Sara, Stevie, Zachary, Alison, Max, Ted, Samantha, and Robbie. She had four great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Aiden, Liam, and Lucas.
Joan is also survived by her loving sister, Jan Fisher, of Southern Pines, N.C. Her brother Richard (Dick) Beckman passed away in 2015. Joan is also survived by Dick's wife, Nan, who was a dear friend in addition to sister-in-law. Joan was predeceased by a sister, Carol, in 1939.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Harmon Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. There will be a service at Harmon on Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Ocean View Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church, 909 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, N.Y. 10310.
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