Joan M. Holmes

On August 31, 2025, at the age of 92, and after living in her beloved home in Fulton, NY for nearly 60 years, Joan Marie Holmes went home to be with the Lord.

Born to Arnold and Alma Hoyt on October 30, 1932, in Hamilton, Montreal, Canada, Joan’s family moved around Canada during her childhood. Eventually, the family moved to America and settled in New York.

Joan attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Fulton High School. After graduation, Joan went on to work at Sealright before marrying and raising her five children; Cathy McKinney, Wendy Thurlow, Leah Holmes, Gary (Bonnie) Holmes, and Terri Ryan. Through the years, Joan’s family grew to include eight grandchildren, Jeremy, Michael, Amy, Tiffany, Gary J., Andrew, Emma, and Kaitlynn and nine great-grandchildren. Crowded together in Joan’s home, the family gathered, ate, laughed, cried, celebrated, fought, loved, and created memories for six decades.

In her more active years, Joan's passions included metal detecting and bottle digging in old dump sites, swimming laps (and floating) in Adirondack lakes, and bike riding. Later, road trips, garage sales, and thrift stores brought Joan joy and helped her create her enormous cookie jar and Jadeite collections. At all stages of her life, Joan knew what she liked and what she wanted, was a person of faith, loved the music of Neil Young, and allowed no one to rush her.

A calling hour will take place at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay Street, Fulton on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 11am to 12pm. The funeral service will begin at noon, with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fulton. To leave a special message for the family, please sign the guestbook.