Joanne Misslinger Ryan

Poestenkill - Joanne Misslinger Ryan, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025, surrounded by her family. Joanne left behind a legacy of love, laughter, and memories. Her positivity was contagious. She left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Joanne was born on February 9, 1937, to Everett “Bub” and Dorothy “Dot” Misslinger in Poestenkill, New York. She enjoyed a fun-filled childhood in the country with her late brother, Ronnie, and many cousins and friends. After graduating from Catholic High and St. Rose College, she followed her passion and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where she taught in an inner-city segregated school in 1959. She was ahead of her time, devoting herself to serving others with warmth and inclusion.

Upon her return, she married the late Bernard Joseph Ryan Jr. and, within five years, became the mother of four children. They moved to Weatherwax Road in Poestenkill, where she would spend most of her adult life. Joanne played hostess to raucous pool parties, neighborhood caroling, ball games in the field, and walks to catch some polliwogs with the kids. In 1970, she resumed her career and started teaching at Algonquin Middle School. This move would be one of the most transformative times in her life, as she found terrific friends who became her “school family.” This group knew how to enjoy themselves and supported Joanne as she navigated the challenges of being a single mother. They were her travel companions, dinner partners, child therapists, and best friends. She enjoyed thirty years at Algonquin teaching science and finally retired in 2000 to spend time with her number one priority: her family.

Joanne had her happiest moments when she was with her family. From high school sporting events with her kids to school drop-offs and more games for her grandchildren, she was always on the move. Joanne hit her stride when she became a grandmother. Grandma Jo (or Mima) was beloved, and her solo trips with a few grandchildren at a time became life highlights for all of them. She loved to share new places with her friends and family but returned every year to Cozumel, where she went for the last time for her 80th birthday. Sadly, her travel was limited after her dementia progressed, but she still loved to look at pictures of all her adventures.

Joanne is survived by her four children -Kathleen (Tom Gray), Timothy (Nicole Ryan), Erin (Teddy Conway) and Colleen (Greg Corrodi) and 14 grandchildren-Meaghan, Lauren & Kara Gray, Kate, Nate, Tim & Shannon Ryan, Emily, Julia, Abby & Sam Conway, and Brendan, Connor & Aidan Corrodi and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be held in her honor at 11 am on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at St. Henry’s Church 32 Old Rte. 66 in Averill Park, NY. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, prior to the Mass. If you would like to donate in Joanne’s honor, please consider Faith and Family Hospice Foundation, 420 Lakeside Ave, Suite 203, Marlborough, MA 01752.

Visit www.perrykomdat.com for directions and a guestbook.