Joan A. Thiel

Joan A. Thiel, 90, of Albion and Long Island, died March 16, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born June 28, 1928 in Brooklyn, a daughter of the late Herman and Johanna (Worter) Schwierkert, and she lived in this area for the past eight years.

Joan was a lifetime member of the PTA and was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a den mother for the Boy Scouts and a leader for the Girl Scouts while her children were growing up. While living in Virginia, Joan volunteered at Hospice and was also integral in starting the library for the Virginia prison system, where she obtained books for the inmates. She was a Scrabble fanatic who loved reading, gardening and animals, even raising baby raccoons a number of times. Joan enjoyed traveling, and she went across the U.S. and Europe three times.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her half brother, Donald Schwierkert.

She is survived by her children, Warren (Colleen Balkin) Thiel of Murray, Wayne (Louellen) Thiel of Norwich, and LuAnn (Robin) Roberts of Kent; grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Jacob, Daniel, Tracey and Emily; 11 great-grandchildren; and her many friends, special caregivers, and Scrabble protégés.

Services and burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion NY 14411.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Albion, N.Y. To share a special memory of Joan, please visit www.christophermitchell.com.