MALTA — Joan Napiorski, 50, of Malta, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 1 at her home.
Born on Dec. 27, 1963 in Plainfield, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Marilyn Dacey of Colonia, New Jersey and the late William Dacey.
Joan earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kean College in New Jersey and a master’s degree from SUNY Albany. She was a preschool special education teacher at the New Meadow Preschool in Malta for 20 years. Her specialty was working with children on the autism spectrum. She truly enjoyed her job and was admired by all of her students and coworkers. She was an avid New York Giants and Ohio State football fan. She loved taking long walks, hiking in the Adirondacks and “rocking out” to Bruce Springsteen. Joan was most in her element when surrounded by family and friends and had an incredibly positive outlook on life. Her infectious smile and personality cast the brightest of lights in every room she entered. Joan welcomed any challenge, including her illness, with remarkable courage, determination, humor and grace inspiring everyone who knew her. She was loved by all and made a better person of anyone she’s ever touched.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen Napiorski; daughters Alyson Marie and Jennifer Lee Napiorski; siblings Maureen Lugo, Elizabeth “Pixie” Goetz, William Dacey, Anne Fahey, Michael Dacey, Colleen Dacey, Patrick Dacey; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the Catricala Funeral Home Inc., 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral Mass Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Ballston Spa. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery.
It was Joan’s wish in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Stem Cell Transplantation Program, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-5450
