Joan A. Steenbergh

Joan A. Steenbergh, 88, of Athens, NY, passed away on October 17, 2023, at her son’s home in Hyde Park, NY. Born January 15th, 1935, in New York City, Joan was the only child of the late Albert and Margaret Murphy. She graduated from the NYC public schools and attended Hunter College in NYC. Joan married her devoted husband of 59 years, James C. Steenbergh, on November 26, 1960. He predeceased her on May 16, 2020. Joan’s entire life was devoted to family. She began visiting Catskill from NYC in 1959, to help her father; tending bar on the weekends, at his pub on Rt. 9W, near where Central Hudson is today. Here she met James, a local attorney, and they were married in less than a year. She spent the next 50 years as his legal secretary at the law office in Athens. As the children grew up, she taught the Holy Communion classes at St. Patrick’s Church, Swimming lessons at the Athens Pool, helped run the concession stand at Athens Little League, plus so many more community activities in her beloved Athens. When all 3 children became involved in sports, Joan & Jim rarely missed a game, either home or away. She loved gardening, and the Adirondacks, and they spent most weekends at their 2nd home in Schroon Lake, NY. She was a lifelong fan of the NY Mets and Miami Dolphins. Survivors include their children Bill Steenbergh, his wife Beth, and their children JoAnn, Barbra, Ryan, Joseph, and Matthew of Hyde Park, NY, Bob Steenbergh, his wife Danielle, and their children Joe, Nick, Shae, and Zack of Windermere, FL, and Peggy Santi, her husband Mark, and their children Isabelle and Calvin of Lone Tree, CO. The family wishes to thank Donna, Vanetta, Jody, and Daneil, as well as Hudson Valley Hospice, for all of the loving care and assistance they provided to Joan in her final months. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at Richards Funeral Home of the Mid Hudson Valley,Inc., 28 North Vernon Street, Athens, N.Y., 12015, on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held the next day, Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home, with Deacon Jerry Lindley officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot of The Catskill Town Cemetery, Catskill, N.Y. Arrangements are under the direction of Richards Funeral Home of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc., 28 North Vernon Street, Athens, N.Y., 12015. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, Post Office Box 145, Athens, New York 12015. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net

Joan A. Steenbergh

January 15, 1935 - October 17, 2023