Joan B. Wraight

(Barre Center) Joan B. Wraight, age 87, passed away October 6, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born January 9, 1937 in Albion, a daughter of the late Alva and Monica (Starkweather) Bates, and had lived in this area all of her life. 

Joan was a life-long member of the Barre Center Presbyterian Church, participating in nearly every capacity of leadership and service. She played piano and organ for area churches, sang in the choir at Barre Center and rang in the handbell choir. She graduated from the University of Buffalo with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Once her youngest started kindergarten, she worked in the finance office at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital, becoming Fiscal Administrator. She later moved on to Genesee Community College as the Assistant Director of Finance. On retirement, she became an election inspector for the Town of Barre, and remained and active member of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union, a post she held for 43 years.

Quiet and reserved, Joan expressed her love for others through acts of service and a listening ear. She was honest and caring, and known by all for her integrity, organization, and intelligence. Joan also loved reading, gardening, animals and watching westerns. She was a whiz at Sudoku. Her canning and cooking skills were exceptional, and she could crank out homemade pies as easily as if she were making toast. Her greatest joys and pleasures, though, were her family, both immediate and extended. She loved her community with her whole, quiet heart.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Wilford “Willie”, her son Perry and her sister Midge Warren.

She is survived by her son Alan (Nancy) Wraight; daughter Margaret “Peggy” (John Buchan) Wraight; granddaughters Erin (Wayne) Baker, Christina (Mark) Ingold; great-grandsons Ellis and Rhett Baker as well as several nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 9, from 4 PM to 7 PMat the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home (21 West Ave, Albion, NY.) Her Funeral Service will be on Thursday, October 10, at 12:00pm at the Barre Center Presbyterian Church, (4698 Oak Orchard Rd, Albion, NY.) Burial will be in Mt. Albion Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.