Joan Elizabeth Walter, 86
September 12, 1938 – June 17, 202
FULTON — Joan Elizabeth Walter, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after an extended and courageous battle with dementia.
Joan was born on September 12, 1938, in Paterson, New Jersey, to John and Jeannette Leonard. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Reading, which served her well in her lifelong passion for teaching and tutoring. As a beloved elementary school teacher at Wyckoff Public Schools, Joan left a lasting impact on generations of students. Even after retirement, she continued to tutor, sharing her love of learning with the next generation. She also had a knack for the written word and took great delight in writing to the local newspaper—often with edits or suggestions on grammar, delivered with her signature wit and precision.
Joan married the love of her life, Robert Charles Walter, on August 11, 1967, in Haledon, New Jersey. They shared 54 years of marriage before his passing in 2021. Together, they created a warm and welcoming home filled with love, laughter, and quiet strength.
A devoted member of both St. Mary of the Harbor and St. James the Fisherman churches, Joan faithfully served on the altar guilds at both congregations. Her deep and abiding faith was a cornerstone of her life.
In addition to her professional and spiritual commitments, Joan was a woman of many passions. She was an avid reader and a keen bird watcher, especially in her later years. She enjoyed tai chi and yoga, valuing both the mindfulness and movement they brought. With an innate eye for design, she brought beauty and intention to everything she touched, whether decorating her home or arranging a table setting. A reserved soul, Joan nevertheless lived a life full of quiet vitality and purpose.
Joan also gave generously of herself and her resources, supporting causes close to her heart with grace and humility.
She will be remembered for her kindness, her quiet strength, her unwavering dedication to service, and the gentle joy she brought to the lives of those who knew her. She was a faithful and thoughtful communicator—sending out cards for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just because. As her husband often said, there’s no telling how many lives she touched simply by acknowledging someone’s special day with a handwritten note.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Janine Walter Hassell (Clay) of Tupelo; step-grandchild Jason Hassell of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Evelyn Bergstrom of Mystic, Connecticut; sister-in-law Georgene Fabian of Holderness, New Hampshire; several nephews; and one niece.
Joan is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her son, Michael Robert Walter.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2025 at The Church of St. Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown, Massachusetts followed by the internment of her ashes at The Chapel of St. James the Fisherman in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod at www.alzfamilysupport.org, the Juvenile Diabetes North East Chapter at www.breakthrought1d.org, and the Lower Cape Outreach Council at www.loutreach.org.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be left at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
