Obituary of Joan Carol Kistner

Joan Carol Kistner lived 90 inspirational years bringing joy and kindness to those fortunate enough to have known her. She was loved by family and friends the way we all should hope to be loved and, on May 28, 2023, she passed on to the lord where she will continue to shine down upon this earth as she did in life. Joan Carol Wilde was born in Montclair, NJ on May 19, 1933 to the late James and Adele Wilde. Joan and her brother James Matley Wilde Jr. spent their early childhood in Rockville Center, Long Island, before moving to Poughkeepsie when Joan was in the eighth grade. Soon after moving she met her future husband of nearly 70 years, William (Bill) Joseph Kistner, in the drama club production of Stage Door. Joan was confident, vivacious, and served as an officer in her high school student government. Joan corresponded with Eleanor Roosevelt, eventually arranging for and hosting the former first lady’s appearance at the high school. When Joan was not piling her girlfriends in Adele’s yellow convertible, Bill would carry her books home. Joan graduated from Arlington High School in 1951.

Joan went on to attend the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City, commuting the subways in full professional attire including heels, gloves, and a hat. Upon graduation, Joan moved back to Poughkeepsie and began work at IBM, where Bill was also employed. Joan and Bill reconnected through sharing a ride to work each day with Joe Kistner and Pat Kelly. As Joan and Bill reconnected over this time together, their romance blossomed again, and they began dating. There was never any doubt that theirs was a beautiful love story to be written, though even they could not imagine the generational expansion of their family back on those nights dancing and sharing cocktails at the Rainbow Room.

Joan was just 19 years old when her and Bill were engaged and began planning their wedding. After their marriage on July 25, 1953 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Joan and Bill purchased a home in Staatsburg and started their family. And how that family grew! Joan is survived by six children: William Kistner Jr. and his wife Linda Kistner, Deborah Hart, Michael Kistner, Elizabeth Long and her husband Rick Long, Daniel Kistner, and Theresa Manning and her husband Paul Manning. Joan was always there for her children and loved them unconditionally. She never missed anything for her children, whether attending school functions, baking cupcakes for birthdays, or attending special performances and sports games. After playing outside in the cold, she would even warm the kids feet by tucking them under her own shirt.

Joan was an amazing cook, there was always enough food for whoever might stop by or stay for dinner. And plenty did stop by knowing they would always received a warm welcome. However, she was not just a mother and housewife. During their time in Staatsburg, Joan ran the concession stand for both the Hyde Park Swim and Tennis Club and the Pop Warner Football League. Amazingly, she even found time to volunteer in the office of the Regina Coeli Catholic School in Hyde Park.

Even in hard times, Joan never gave in. Having suffered a stroke in 1973, she fought back, knowing she had a large family to care for. And fight back she did, rallying through health problems with her quick wit, some sarcasm, and the love of all those blessed enough to have shared time with her throughout her wonderful life.

In 1983, Joan and Bill moved to Flemington, New Jersey, building a beautiful custom home in a suburban neighborhood where she wasted no time making friends and developing an amazing social network in their community. Joan joined a bowling team, became a devoted, passionate scrabble player, and was endlessly engaged in organizing dinners, cocktail parties, and cookouts. Joan worked for Flemington National Bank for ten years, retiring in 1995 as Manager of Discount Brokerage.

Over their time in Flemington, Joan frequently returned to New York to visit her children and grandchildren for holidays, special occasions, baseball and soccer games, and important events. In fact, Joan was blessed with and is survived by twelve grandchildren, William III, Robert, Patrick, Andrea, Allison, Shane, Jessica, Stephanie, Chris, Kayla, Ryan, and Noah. Even more incredibly, Joan is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Nolan, Kylee, Luke, Brie, Natalie, Thor, William IV (Liam), Mason, Brooke, Maverick, and Josh. Joan is also survived by her previously mentioned brother, James, and his wife Lorraine, and a large extended family throughout the country.

One of her most cherished times was arranging an annual holiday trip for all of her daughters and daughters-in-law, and grand daughters to New York City that included ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and the Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall featuring the Rockettes. Often in the best seats in the house, and followed by lunch at Serendipity or Tavern on the Green, Joan usually bought her girls matching dresses or red jackets for the big day.

In 2005, Joan and Bill moved back to the Hudson Valley, building a new home in Pleasant Valley where they often hosted family and friends. When visiting, Joan’s warm welcome often included and joyous announcement of your name, hands raised, waiting for a hug and a kiss. During those visits, Joan’s contagious laugh would echo through their home and the hearts of all their guests. These innumerable memories of her, great and small, will continue to warm our hearts and she will not be forgotten.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held June 2, 2023 at St. Stanislaus Church, Pleasant Valley, at 10:00 am. With burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery Lagrange Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York.

If you would like to leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com