Obituary of Joan M. Searles

Troy – Joan M. Stark Searles, 74, of Troy and formerly of Cohoes died suddenly at her home on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Born and educated in Cohoes and was the daughter of the late Clem and Elsa Pelletier Stark. She was an avid bowler with the Jackson Avenue Women's Bowling League, Cohoes, loved to play Bingo and parchessi and loved her animals. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold S. Searles. Survived by her children, Joanne O’Melia of Waterford, Julie (Mark) Fontaine of Cohoes, Jessie Alread of Brunswick and Jenny (Angelo) Bushey of Troy, grandmother of T.J. O’Melia, Shawn Hillebrandt, Christine and Tyler Skaarup, Tiffany and A.J. Bushey and Jeremy Fontaine. Sister of Sandra Stark of Florida, Dorothy Kelly of Stillwater, Susan Jesmain of Grafton, Elsie Gagnon of Cohoes, Clem Stark of Cohoes and the late Patricia Ladue and Charles Stark, also survived by several nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Sunday evening 7:00pm at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes with Deacon Charles Valenti officiating. Interment at the convenience of the family in the spring. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4 to 7pm. Those who wish to remember Joan in special way may make a contribution to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Menands, N.Y.