Born: July 10, 1941
Died: June 10, 2023
Married: Donald Essex, Thomas Reilly
Children: Julia Essex Cotter, Thomas Essex, Amelia Essex Burns, Joel Essex
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, June 13, 2023
Joan Fye Essex Reilly, “Granny,” age 81, of Saranac Lake and formerly of Bloomingdale, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake with her family by her side.
Born in Malone on July 10, 1941, Joan was the daughter of Sadie (Wiley) Fye Foley and Malcolm Charles Fye Sr.
Joan grew up in Dickenson Center and graduated from St. Regis Falls Central High School with the Class of 1960. Following graduation, Joan worked as an accountant for Bill Sweeney in Saranac Lake, prior to establishing her own retail business. Joan proudly owned and operated the one and only Joan’s Place on Route 3 in Bloomingdale for the next 20 years. Upon retiring the convenience store, Joan began her next adventure as a medical receptionist at AMC for approximately 12 years. One of Joan’s highlights of her later life was working as a lunch lady for the Saranac Lake Central School District, lovingly known to many as “Granny.”
Joan is survived by her loving husband Thomas Reilly; her three children Julia Essex Cotter, Thomas (Charlotte) Essex and Amelia Essex (Chris) Burns; grandchildren Mallory, Mackenzie, Cameron and Cole; stepchildren Anne-Mary, James, John-Joe and Stephanie Reilly; brother Malcom Fye Jr.; sisters Donne Walker and Sadie Martin; as well as her first husband and lifelong friend Donald Essex.
Joan was predeceased by her mother Sadie, father Malcolm Sr., brother Daniel and son Joel Essex.
Throughout Joan’s life she always took great pride spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Joan will be fondly remembered for her kindness, generosity and never-ending witty sense of humor.
The family would like to thank her caregivers Roseann, Dee, Peggy and Joey as well as the wonderful staff at the Adirondack Medical Center.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Calling hours will take place on Thursday, June 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 16, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial immediately following at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. The Rev. Paul Kelly will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Association in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Family and friends wishing to remember Joan Essex Reilly may share a memory, send a condolence and sign the online guestbook at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
