Obituary of Joan Wemple Burns

Joan Wemple Burns, 89, of Altamont, NY passed away October 18, 2024.

Joan Burns was a maker of lists, collecting her ideas, hopes, and inspirations. Her kitchen bulletin board reflects her collections–filled with poetry and prayers, important telephone numbers & dates, business cards, a button declaring “I hate ugly,” clips from newspaper funnies, and prayer cards of loved ones. 

On April 20, 1963, Joan married Milt Burns. Soon after they bought a 40-acre farm in Altamont, NY, which they named Guilderwyck Stables, filled it with animals and antiques, and then raised their three children instilling a love of and respect for nature. From their horses, cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, maintaining her birdfeeders, and even an orphaned raccoon–Joan cared for all animals. She was known for preserving family traditions—putting out wooden shoes for Saint Nicholas’s Day, baking apple pie served with sharp cheddar cheese, she and Milt toasting with their wedding glasses every anniversary, sharing her rum balls recipe, and making cherry cheesecake on Washington’s birthday.

Widowed at 59, Joan continued to blossom, challenging herself to live her unexpected life. She frequently traveled internationally to Japan and Mexico to visit her sons, wrote poetry, learned to snowshoe, joined a women’s investment group, took art classes, stepaerobics, beginners Spanish and Japanese, and read with book clubs. Joan loved her morning coffee, read the newspaper thoroughly, enjoyed an afternoon cup of tea, and viewed the ever-changing natural landscape of her country home. 

An avid volunteer, Joan served numerous organizations focusing on historic preservation, education, and community service. In 1979 she served as organizing regent of Old Hellebergh Chapter, for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Joan held the state chair for the American History Month contest in addition to other state positions, and locally, led the Good Citizen Award for over 40 years. Joan served as president of the Dutch Settlers Society, was a charter and board member of the Guilderland Historical Society, and most recently volunteered as an ambassador, at Albany International Airport.

Born in Albany on August 29, 1935, Joan’s mother often remarked she was a lifelong student. Joan graduated from Blessed Sacrament School, and then Vincentian Institute. In 1959 Joan graduated as Salutatorian from Albany Medical College, School of Nursing, and was the recipient of the Sampson Award for Excellence in Bedside Nursing. In 1996, her work with the Albany chapter of the New York State Perinatal Association was recognized by Henry Foster, M.D., then President Clinton’s Surgeon General Nominee. Joan earned multiple advanced degrees, an MS from Russell Sage College, an M.S.Ed. from The College of St. Rose culminating in a Ph.D. in 2006, and served on the Alumni boards of Russell Sage College and The College of St. Rose. Her love of education is seen in her children who all become educators in some fashion.

Joan is survived by her children, Scott David of Kagoshima, Japan, James Daniel (Abraham de la Rosa Jaramillo) of New York, NY, and Heather J. Pinedo-Burns (Aristides) of Haverhill, MA, her grandchildren, her older brother John G. Wemple, and many devoted nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her husband, Milton J. Burns, sisters, Carolyn Payne and Marian O’Connor, and her parents, C. Marian and John Gilbert Wemple.

Calling hours are Thursday, 10/24 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Reilly and Son at 9 Voorheesville Ave., Voorheesville, NY. Catholic Mass is at 10:00 AM Friday, 10/25 at Historic St. Mary’s Church at 10 Lodge St, Albany, NY. Interment immediately follows at Guilderland Cemetery, off Osborne Road, Altamont, NY. 

In honor of Joan please consider donating to WMHT FM at https://donate.wmht.org/wmht/donate or Sunshine Horses - Standardbred Horse Rescue at https://www.sunshinehorses.org/.