Obituary of Joan M Palmateer

We celebrate the life of Joan Mary Palmateer (Van De Mark), 87, of Fishkill, NY, who passed from this world unexpectedly on March 17, 2023, to dwell with God in Heaven. Born on April 29, 1935, the daughter of John W. Van De Mark and Mary Van De Mark (Sitser), Joan grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY, where she lived most of her life until recently moving to Fishkill, NY.
A graduate of Wappingers Central School where she met her high school sweetheart, Paul H. Palmateer, she went on to graduate from Vassar Brothers Hospital School of Nursing. She and Paul were married on May 18, 1956. When they brought daughters Paula May and Marla into the world, Joan left her work as a
nurse to devote her life to raising their girls together with her devoted husband. Nurturing her family and sharing her faith with them brought Joan great joy and fulfillment. While their daughters were young, Joan served in the PTA, volunteered with the Girl Scouts, as school chaperone, room mother and various other activities. Marla and Paula will always remember the love and compassion their mom showed for all the neighborhood and school children, families, and all she saw in need.
Joan returned to part-time Registered Nursing at the Poughkeepsie Medical Group, the Pines Nursing Home, and Vassar Warner Home for 12 years until she retired in 1992.
Later in life when beloved grandsons, Greg and Michael were born to daughter Marla and her husband, Mike Monahan, she enjoyed making many more happy memories with her family including hikes, picnics and Cape Cod vacations.
Joan was a life-long member of New Hackensack Reformed Church in Wappingers Falls where she was active in teaching Sunday School, the Parish Health Ministry, the Strength & Balance Exercise Program, and the JOY Senior Group. She and her family found great strength in their church family, especially their minister, Rev. Keith Tamlyn.
Joan and Paul were also Meals on Wheels volunteers for nearly 20 years. Loved ones will always remember Joan cooking and baking tirelessly to help the church, those in need of comfort in times of illness and loss, or just help out – her own special ministry and gift.

Joan leaves behind her loving husband and life-long sweetheart, Paul H. Palmateer, daughter, Marla Monahan, son-in-law, Michael Monahan, of Connecticut, daughter, Paula Scott-Ducorsky and son-in-law, Mark Ducorsky, of Florida, grandson, Michael Monahan, his wife, Bobby Monahan, and great granddaughter, Mila Monahan, of Connecticut, grandson, Gregory Monahan and his wife, Lauren Monahan, of California, and niece, Rachel Aumick Monqueau, her husband, Aaron Monqueau,
and grandniece, Caroline Monqueau, of Maryland.
She is predeceased by her mother and father, Mary Van De Mark (Sitser), and John W Van De Mark formerly of Wappingers Falls, and sister, Velma V. Van De Mark Aumick formerly of Wallkill, NY.
The family will celebrate her life with a private memorial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the New Hackensack Reformed
Church, 1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.