Joan Eileen Seminatore

Moira - Joan E. Seminatore, 75, lovingly know as "Nana", passed away peacefully Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the St. Regis Nursing Home, with her family by her side. Arrangements are entrusted with the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Joan was born in Watertown on December 23, 1936, daughter of the late Wayne and Eve Louise (Tennant) Fuel. She attended 6th and 7th Grade at SUNY Campus School in Potsdam, and then her family moved to Fulton, where she graduated high school. Joan graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1959, majoring in Mathematics and Psychology. She taught Jr. and Sr. High Math at Gouverneur and then at Greece Central School District in Rochester, where she met the love of her life. On June 23, 1962, she married Santo M. Seminatore at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Rochester. They shared 50 years with a union of great support and devotion. In 1965, she moved back to Potsdam to live with her mother and grandparents, while her husband served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vietnam. She taught Math at St. Regis Falls Central School and in 1982, returned to college at SUNY Canton to earn a degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked as a RN at Canton Potsdam Hospital, Alice Hyde Medical Center and at the Psychiatric Hospital in Ogdensburg. Joan was active in the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections for many years. She enjoyed traveling with good friends, reading and cherished get-togethers to play cards. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her three grandchildren. Joan had an incredible inner strength which showed in all her endeavors. Her values of family, loyalty to friends and appreciation of life will always be remembered. She is survived by her loving husband, Santo of Moira; a son and daughter in law, Mark and Erin Seminatore of Issaquah, WA; a daughter and son in law, Kim and Fred Deshane of Winthrop; three grandchildren, Patrick and Matthew Seminatore of Issaquah, WA and Emily Deshane of Winthrop; a cousin, Linda and Ben Hunter of Harrisville; a sister in law and her husband, Angela and Don Perri of Rochester; and many dear friends. She was predeceased by a cousin, Orin Smiley and a brother in law, Angelo Seminatore. Visitation will be Saturday morning, November 10th at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop from 9 to 10:45 am, followed with a Remembrance Gathering. Interment will take place at Bayside Cemetery in Potsdam at the convenience of her family. Flowers are gratefully declined; those wishing to express an act of kindness, please consider donations to: American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge, 237 East Ave, Burlington, VT 05401: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 or the Ronald McDonald House of your choice. Memories and condolences can be shared with Joan's family at www.hammillfh.com.