Joann M. Breslin, 74 of Latham, passed away peacefully on December 8th, 2021 at the Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany.
Born November 25, 1947 in Jersey City NJ, she was the daughter of the late James T. and Elizabeth M. (Monahan) Breslin. Joann is survived by her sister, Maryann (James) Fazzone, and her nephews, Justin Fazzone and Michael (Kate) Fazzone.
Joann earned a Bachelor's Degree at Trinity Washington University then continued on to earn a Master's Degree in journalism and communications from NYU. Joann worked for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey for 23 years. First, as a Speech Writer for the Director of PATH, and wrote articles regarding the airports in the PA Employee magazine. It was these skills and experience which allowed her to become the PATH Senior Customer Service Supervisor handling many crises, particularly during September 11, 2001.
Joann started each day with the objective of helping anyone in her path and always lived with excitement in each moment. She was so generous with her time and truly enjoyed listening to others. Giving to others was a core value. She spent over 20 years teaching English as a second language to people moving from Puerto Rico, and prepared them for job interviews. She organized a theatre group for fellow tenants in the World Trade Center, getting group discounts to Broadway Show premiers. Joann shared her talents and love of musicals, performing in many community theatre shows. Her talents for words and communication were boundless. She taught English Literature and Writing at the Academy of St. Aloysius in Jersey City, and worked as a Copy Editor at Prentice Hall in Englewood.
Joann loved to expand her mind being an avid reader, always holding a book or the NY Times crossword puzzle. She wrote murder mysteries and belonged to the local Sisters In Crime Writers Group, and several of her pieces were published. She was also the family photographer at each holiday or vacation.
Her best role was being a caring and loving sister and aunt. She created many fond memories sharing her love of books, music and travel with her nephews. They enjoyed many trips together including the shore in Spring Lake NJ, NYC and the Adirondacks.
For the last twenty years, Joann lived with Frontal Temporal Degeneration (FTD) and rose above it every day. She moved to the Capital Region in 2012 and was a resident of The Marjorie Doyle Rockwell Center at The Eddy where she was so cared for. Joann received the amazing care from the FTD support group, especially Nancy and Carli, Dr. Zimmerman and Connie. After four years she moved to The Teresian House where she lived for the last five years. During this time she created many excellent relationships with fellow residents and staff. We would like to recognize all the staff that cared for her, especially nurse Heather, and CNA Cheyanne, and her Nurse Practitioner Jackie. Thank you to Occupational Therapists Don, Kathleen, Katrina and Physical Therapists Boyd and Christina, and Speech Therapist Marci. Additionally we thank her dear friend and caregiver Sandy, her partner in many adventures. They never gave up and improved Joann's quality of life.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Monday, December 13th, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church Chapel, 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham.
Joann's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the visitation at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church with Fr. Geoffrey Burke officiating.
Interment will take place following the mass in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration online https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/ or via mail AFTD, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA, 19406
For directions, information, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com