Joan A. Durland
2/23/2023
Joan A. Durland, a lifetime resident of Warwick, NY passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023, at St. Anthony Community Hospital, Warwick, NY. She was 94 years old.
Born in Montreal on July 18, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Harry S. and Rita (nee Darch) Seely, who moved back to the area and settled in Warwick in 1934.
Joan was a Juilliard trained pianist and organist and taught piano for 42 years out of her home, sharing her love of music with other young musicians. She played the pipe organ in local Warwick churches, and then became the musical director of the Brick Reformed Church in Montgomery, NY for over twenty years, finally retiring at the age of 86. A family statement reads “Joan was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her kids and grandchildren more than anything. Her grandsons and granddaughters would see their grandmother at as many soccer and baseball games, musical concerts and dance recitals as possible. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.”
Joan is survived by her son Stuart Durland and his wife Carolyn (Cal) of Hardeeville, SC; daughter Bethanne Smith and her husband Roger of Highland Lakes, NJ; son Garrett Durland and his wife Rachel of Warwick, NY; seven grandchildren Bryan and his partner Lance Davis, Eric, Justin and his wife Abaigeal, Brianna, Jacqueline and her husband Niall, Benjamin and his partner Colleen, Lucas, and great granddaughter, Amelia. She was predeceased by her brother Jarvis Seely of Maclean, VA.
As per Joan’s request, a private memorial will be held in one of her favorite places in upstate New York (Lake George) with family. A place where she and her children’s father, Ken Durland, first brought their kids to vacation in 1965. That legacy continues with their children and grandchildren, who have continued to enjoy this special place ever since.
Joan and the family ask you to consider a donation in her honor to the Bon Secours Warwick Heath Foundation, who financially supports our local community hospital, St. Anthony’s Community Hospital, where the nurses and doctors always provided her kind and compassionate care. You can make a donation online at https://give.wmchealth.org/give/371617/#!/donation/checkout.
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