In Memory of Joan (Essel) McManamon

Obituary

Joan (Essel) McManamon, 86, formerly of New Hartford, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the Sunnyside Care Center. She fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

She was born on May 17, 1938, in Utica, daughter of the late James Essel. She was raised by her late grandmother Margaret Bishop. She grew up in Utica and attended UFA. On April 27, 1957, Joan married Kenneth McManamon at St Francis de Sales Church in Utica, NY. They had been married for 49 years when Kenneth passed away on December 19, 2006, just 4 months shy of their 50th anniversary. They enjoyed time camping in the Adirondacks and spending time with family and friends. Joan worked in the Insurance profession for many years with A&A Insurance.

Joan was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church located in New Hartford, NY. She enjoyed working on her daily crossword puzzles and looked forward to her “Casino Tuesdays” with her best friend, Dolly Legare, who predeceased her in January. Joan also enjoyed game night with friends and favored Scrabble, as she was a proficient speller.

Joan was a dedicated wife, mother, & “Grammie” which made her the glue that held the family together. Her family was everything to her; she always had a listening ear as well as advice whether you wanted it or not! She favored her sons-in-law since she had 3 daughters. She would also persuade them to help with maintenance around the house, which they gladly did. She found great joy in caring for her grandchildren and was proud of the adults they became. She felt blessed to have lived long enough to witness the joy of her three precious great-grandchildren. She also loved her granddogs & grandcats.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon (Anthony) Sardina, Jr. of Baldwinsville, NY, Joy (Daniel) Cosgrave of Cibolo, TX and Beth (Michael) Silliman, Jr. of Marcellus, NY; her cherished grandchildren, Nicole (Robert) Devere, Derek Sardina and his fiancée Rebecca VanCott, Ryan Cosgrave, Crystal Silliman and Tyler Silliman; great grandchildren, Andrew DeVere, Aubrielle DeVere and Alexanderia Sardina and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Margaret Iffert and brother-in-law Eugene Iffert.

Joan was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by her family.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Sunnyside Care Center for the care and comfort they provided to Joan.

The funeral will be on Monday, October 7, at 12:00 pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. Calling hours will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery Clinton, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation in memory of Joan.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.