Joan Lee "Joanie" Loretta, 87, a resident of the Town of East Fishkill, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Born on December 30, 1937 in Coney Island, NY, she was the daughter of Saul and Irene (Novack) Smith.

Joan graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and Hunter College in Manhattan. Joan moved to the Hopewell Junction area in 1971. In 1982, she began her career with IBM in East Fishkill, where she worked as an Executive Secretary until her retirement after 25 years of service.

Joan had a zest for life. She loved watching and attending Brooklyn Dodgers games with her father as a young child and then continued her love for the game as a devoted New York Yankees fan. In addition to watching baseball, she was an avid reader and often sat for hours working on crossword puzzles. Her greatest pleasure, however, came from spending time with her family and friends. Whether it was living with girlfriends in Manhattan as a young woman, travelling to Argentina to experience Carnivale, or seeing a Broadway show, Joans zest for life was evident. She loved watching her daughters and granddaughter's play soccer, her grandson receiving his different colored belts in Ju Jitsu or just taking in a movie, as long as she was surrounded by family.

Joan married the love of her life, Joseph Vincent Loretta, on February 14, 1969 in Brooklyn. She and Joe (Sonny) resided in Brooklyn until moving upstate in 1971.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Amatulli and her husband Rich of Danbury, CT and Lydia Elswick and her husband Craig of Hopewell Junction; her stepson Vincent Loretta and his wife, Johnna, grandchildren, Isabella, Gabriella and Ava Amatulli, Joseph, Jocelyn and Julianna Elswick; Jaime and Nicholas Loretta. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by husband Joseph, parents Saul and Irene, sister Doris Bartley and brother Jerome Smith.

Calling hours will be held on Monday January 20, 2025 from 4pm-8pm. Service to be held Tuesday, January 21st at 11:30am at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 US-9, Fishkill.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Hudson Valley Hospice House, whose support and care during this time cannot be adequately put into words.

https://www.hvhospice.org/donate-now/#Donate