Joan C. McMillan, of New Paltz, NY (formerly of Palm Bay, FL and Brooklyn, NY) passed away on January 1, 2015 at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, Poughkeepsie, NY. 

Joan was born August 12, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY.  She was the daughter of the late John C. and Wilhelmina (Cuffey) Burton.  Joan married the late Percell W. King in 1948.  Out of this union came William and Michele.  Joan married the late Albert K. McMillan in 1957.  Out of this union came Allison and Patricia. 

Joan was a retired Commercial Real Estate Lender with the New York City Housing Preservation and Development Department.  After retiring, she was active in the Democratic Women’s Club of Palm Bay, FL, enjoyed socializing with family and friends, and traveling.  Joan was an avid reader, a “perpetual student.”  Her goal of earning her college and graduate degrees was attained once her children were grown.  However, her thirst for learning never ended.  Joan always traveled with a book, magazine, or newspaper, even for short trips and errands. 

Joan will be remembered for her love and devotion to her children, her intelligence, and her honesty, her sense of humor, her love for animals, and her love of good food.  She strongly identified with her Native American/Shinnecock roots, and embraced the diversity of her mixed heritage. 

Joan is survived by her children: William King and daughter-in-law, Debra Griffen-King of New Paltz, NY, Michele King-Elder and son-in-law, Gregory Elder of Dix Hills, NY, Allison McMillan and son-in-law, Dane McPherson of Leonia, and Jersey City, NJ, respectively, and Patricia McMillan and son-in-law, John Whittaker of Warwick, NY; her sisters: Arline Jackson of Brooklyn, NY, Miriam Faust of Northville, NY, Claire Schoolcraft of Brooklyn, NY, and Hilda Mendez of Brooklyn, NY; her grandchildren: Anthony King, William King, Shawn King, Jasmine Matthews, Marlon Griffen, Michelle Griffen, Nicole Haskins-Ross, Ivory Elder, Lonnie Elder, Danielle McPherson Seabron, Gregory McPherson and Arianna McPherson; and her great-grandchildren: Tequila Nieves, Akeem King, Aziz King, Rha King, Destiny King, Dujuan Garris, Heaven Garris, Elijah King, Deliah King, Zaraiah King, Madison King and Kennedy Ross.  Her Aunt, Malinda Hall, as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family members and friends also survive Joan. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm at the Memorial Home.  Interment will be Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11:30 am at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY 11735.