Joan W Pitches

Joan Wilson Pitches passed away on September 17, 2022 after a brief illness. Joan was born on February 15, 1935 to Harry and Ebba Wilson of Yonkers, NY. After graduating from Gorton High School, Berkeley Secretarial School and Southern Seminary College, Joan worked as a preschool teacher until she met the love of her life, James Sutherland Pitches. Jim and Joan were married at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on July 30, 1960 and had four children that Joan stayed home to raise while Jim served in the Air Force. Jim died young serving our country in Vietnam and Joan devoted her life to raising her children, Laurie, David, Jill and Scott. Her children grew up knowing how much she loved them and that she would do anything for them at any time. After her children were grown, she also worked as a hostess at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Yonkers (perfect for her gift of gab) and a secretary for the NY State Department of Disabilities, where she made many dear friends.

Joan was predeceased by her husband James, her parents Harry and Ebba, her in-laws David (Harry) and Margaret Pitches, and her sister-in-law Marjorie Pitches McShane. She is survived by her children Laurie Pash (Mike), David Pitches, Jill Grimes and Scott Pitches (Meghan) as well as her grandchildren James, Allison, Jessica, Emma, Daisy and Violet, along with her very loved and spoiled dog Molly. One of Joan’s favorite things to do was to share pictures and brag to everyone about her grandchildren and their accomplishments. Joan also leaves her brothers-in-law David Pitches (Dan Elliott), Donald Pitches (Sally) and Gerry McShane, and her nieces and nephews Sarah Nittoli (Tom), Arthur Whitten (Kathy), and Kate Zwillman (Ari) and their families, cousin-in-law and dear friend Mary Leonard, cousins Debbie Sillman (Artie) and Brian Trotta, and her dear friend Jane Evanko.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to a veterans group or animal rescue organization. There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, September 21st, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hastings on Hudson, NY at 1:00pm.