Obituary of Joanne VanDerveer

POUGHKEEPSIE - Joanne (Lewis) Van Derveer reached the end of life's journey on June 14th, 2011, at her home, surrounded by her family, and within sight of the gardens she so cherished. She was 79 years old. She will be forever remembered and dearly missed by her five children and their spouses: Peter and Kate Van Derveer, Kevin and Manigeh Van DerVeer, Barbara and Kurt Reiner, Tricia and Dan Sims, and Robert and Debra van der Veer; her eight granddaughters: Juliana, Vanessa, Michelle, Kristin, Lauren, Nicole, Renee, and Isabella; and one great grandson, Cole; as well as a multitude of family, friends and acquaintances. Her husband Ernest was lost to us in 1990, and her sister Janie Clements in 2003. She is survived by her brother Lloyd Lewis and sister in law Hilda. Joanne leaves us a legacy of beauty and color in her beloved gardens, and in her watercolor and oil paintings. Her passion for holistic living, natural childbirth and the benefits of breastfeeding will live on. Joanne was born in Ligonier, PA. on March 21st, 1932 to Lloyd N. and Mildred Clarke Lewis. She lived in Highland Park, NJ, Poughkeepsie, NY, and Switzerland. She graduated with high honors from Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts. Everywhere she traveled she taught us to seek out the simplicity and purity of the natural world. She loved animals, flowers, trees, and the timeless majesty of the landscape, all of which she captured forever in her art. The world is diminished without her. As per her request, the family will hold a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor her memory are requested to do so by making a contribution to Latch on Hudson Valley at latchonhv.com or to the Barrett Art Center's Gallery Fund at barrettartcenter.org. Local arrangements are being handled by the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie New York. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com.