Blooming Grove resident for 45 years, Joan I. Siegel passed away peacefully in her sleep at home of natural causes on August 25, 2025. She was Professor Emerita of English at SUNY Orange where she taught for 30 years. Beloved by her students and highly esteemed by her colleagues, Professor Siegel developed the highly popular Women Writers Course and in 2007, won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. An acclaimed poet, she published in many prestigious journals, including The Atlantic, The Journal of the American Medical Association and New Letters, as well as six poetry books. She was also an accomplished classical pianist and an avid hiker. She is survived by her husband, Joel Solonche and her daughter, Emily Solonche.
