Obituary of Joan Ida Wells

Joan Ida Wells, 73, of Carlisle Road, passed away peacefully Thursday Morning, August 6, 2009 with her loving family by her side, following a courageous four year battle with cancer. She was born in Randall, NY May 5, 1936, daughter of the late Harry Barker, Jr. and the late Ida Winsman Barker-Stockwell. Joan was raised in Randall and attended Fonda-Fultonville Schools. She married William L. Wells of Canajoharie at the Randall Christian Church on May 30, 1956. The couple settled and built their home on the family farm on Carlisle Road where they raised their family and spent the next 53 years. Joan was a longtime communicant and member of Randall Christian Church where she served on the Board of Directors and sang in the choir. She was also a communicant of Canajoharie Reformed Church and was a 30 plus year member of the Ames Vol. Fire Dept. Auxiliary. She was also a former member of the Moose Lodge in Johnstown and of Ayers Memorial Animal Shelter. Joan truly loved helping others and was a caring individual who would do anything for anyone. Her loving care was often demonstrated with her work as a C.N.A. for Arkell Hall in Canajoharie, where she worked for many years. Her true joy in life, however, was her family, especially her grandchildren whom she adored. She was a loving Wife, Mom and Nanny who will be sadly missed by all of her family and friends. Her loving family includes her husband of over 53 years, William L. Wells of Canajoharie, her daughters, Dawn Sutton and husband Rodney of Canajoharie and Brenda Butler and husband Franklin of Randall, her granddaughters, Tara Sands and companion Kyle Marcellus of Mayfield and Stephanie Hotaling and husband, Michael of Canajoharie and her two brothers, Robert Barker and wife Jean of Johnstown and Gerald Stockwell and wife Kathy of Sprakers. Nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her grandson Chad Sands in 2001 and her step-father Herman Stockwell. Funeral Services will be at 10:00AM on Monday, August 10, 2009 at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY with Rev. Dr. R.W. Williams, officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Plain Cemetery, Ft. Plain, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00PM at the funeral home. Contributions in Joan's memory may be made to the Randall Christian Church in care of the funeral home or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.