IN MEMORIAM:  Joan Moyer, 80;

Civic Leader Chaired Many Boards

ONEONTA – Joan F. Moyer, former president of the Oneonta School Board who was active in many civic leadership roles, passed away Monday, July 28, 2014, at the Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. She was surrounded and embraced by her immediate family: her husband Bob, daughters Terri and Kathy, and son Scott.

Born Feb. 14, 1934, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Fallon of West Stockbridge, Mass., Joan grew up and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1951.  She attended the College of St. Rose in Albany, where she was class president and graduated in 1955.

Upon graduation, Joan moved to Long Island, where she worked as a social worker before returning to the Capital District, where she taught high school English and received her master’s in education from SUNY Albany in 1961.

She met and married Robert W. Moyer in 1960.

In April 1965, Bob and his family moved to Oneonta when he became assistant trust officer at Key Bank; he was president/CEO of Wilber National Bank at the time of his retirement.  Joan quickly became involved in a number of community activities and organizations, many of which related to education and children, and often took a leadership position (President of Oneonta School Board, President of YMCA Board, active in Catholic Charities, Future of Oneonta, Girls Scouts, 4-H, Executive Service Corps, and many others).

Throughout her time in Oneonta she received the Oneonta Teachers’ Association Friend of Education Award (1973), the Hartwick College Citizen of the Year Award (1989), the SUNY Oneonta Distinguished Citizen Award (1998), and the Executive Service Corps Leadership Award. Most recently she and Bob were named Mr. and Mrs. Oneonta by the Future for Oneonta Foundation (2010).

As a couple, the Moyers have endowed scholarships for Oneonta graduates of SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College and St. Rose. Hartwick named the Moyer Family Pool in honor of the couple’s extensive community involvement.  The family’s three children swam competitively during their years in Oneonta.

Joan epitomized a community citizen, mother, wife, friend and woman. She had more energy than all of her family and friends combined. She always had time to listen, to write thoughtful notes, to coach the first girls’ Saturday soccer games, to read and share books and articles on her many interests.  She volunteered often but not lightly as she committed herself completely in order to facilitate clear outcomes.  She was the most naturally fashionable, graceful, and beautiful woman inside and out, and all who met her recognized that immediately.

Joan is survived by her husband, best friend, and love of her life Robert W. “Bob” Moyer; her daughters Terri Moyer of Portsmouth, N.H., and Kathy Dragon and her husband Keith of Boulder, Colo.; and her son Scott Moyer, his wife Ginny, and grandchildren Luke, 5, and Matthew, 7, of San Mateo, Calif.; her brothers John and Thomas Fallon, and sister-in-law Jean Fallon.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Jerry Fallon.

A memorial service will be held towards the middle of November, with date and time to be announced.

Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to The Moyer Family Scholarship, Hartwick College, Office of Donor Relations. Oneonta New York 13820

Condolences, stories and photos may be made online by visiting our website at joan-fallon-moyer.forevermissed.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.