IN MEMORIAM:  Joan O. Tripp, 83, Retired Village Librarian

 COOPERSTOWN – Joan O. Tripp, 83, retired librarian at the Village Library of Cooperstown, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2014.

Joan, and her brother, Jay, were born on Feb. 28, 1931, the first twins born at Horton Memorial Hospital in Middletown.

She grew up in Middletown, graduating from Middletown High School in 1949.  Joan then attended Drew University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Latin in 1953,  and in 1956 attained a Master’s degree in education from the State University College of Education in Oneonta.  In 1989 she received a BOCES Bartending Certificate.

Joan taught elementary school in Cohoes and Middletown and was a remedial reading teacher in Edmeston and Cooperstown.  She retired in 1999 from the library to help care for her grandchildren, which she found very fulfilling.  She tended bar on a part time basis at the Lakefront Hotel Restaurant (and thanks the staff heartily for their patience!) and at social gatherings for her friends and the church.  Since retirement, she volunteered at Bassett Hospital and the library.

An active communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, she spent many hours doing calligraphy, teaching Sunday school and helping with the Altar Guild, as well as being a Eucharistic Minister and serving communion to both inpatients at the hospital and those confined to their homes.

The single most pivotal point in Joan’s life was her conversion from Judaism to Catholicism in 1988.  She experienced a bright, shining light coming toward her, filling her with warmth from her feet to her head.  The message she received from Jesus through the Holy Spirit was to become a Catholic and to never be afraid of death.  Her baptism and confirmation took place on Sept. 8, 1988, by Father John Sise with Barbara Roberts as her sponsor.  Since that time her life was filled with joy and peace.

Joan leaves three children and their spouses, Dana and Martin Peeters of Westford, Nancy and Daniel Morris of Middlefield, and Robert and Angela Tripp of Fair Oaks, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Stefanie, MariaRosa (Buddy), and Andrew, Olivia and Leland, and Samantha and John; one great granddaughter, Carmella; and her brother, Jay Oppenheim of Johnstown.

She was predeceased by her brother, Stanley, formerly of Cobleskill; and her parents, Isidore and Henriette for whom we can thank for Joan’s loving and caring personality.

Of no less importance, Joan also leaves her special family at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, her friends at Cooper Lane Apartments and many more whose lives she touched.

Joan’s family wishes to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to Jen, Ann, Candy, Lisa, Sam, Keith and Rob from Otsego Manor for the kind, considerate and understanding care they extended to Joan. All of the staff was wonderful and made her final months pleasant and comfortable.

Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, when Joan’s family will be in attendance.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, at St. Mary’s, with Father John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery, Index.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are entrusted to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.