Joan H. Fisher

Delmar, NY-Joan Hoffman Fisher, 102, passed away gently, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her children, on Friday morning, March 6, 2026. A lifelong resident of Albany, Joan was born on August 7, 1923, the eldest child of Joseph and Nora Sullivan Hoffman. She grew up in the city’s South End and attended Our Lady Help of Christians School and Vincentian Institute, where she graduated top of her class, and then completed her Bachelor’s degree at Albany State Teachers College (now UAlbany) on scholarship. After college, our math-wiz mom went to work at GE in Schenectady, but chose to leave her career to become a full-time wife and mother when she married our dad, Ray Fisher, in 1948. Mom was an avid competitive Bridge player until well into her 90s, having achieved the rank of a Ruby Life Master. She belonged to Wolferts Roost Country Club for over 50 years, where she formed many endearing friendships and enjoyed golf, dinners, and dances. She famously ran the eponymous Joan Fisher Pools during March Madness (Go Marquette!), PGA tournaments, the Super Bowl, and the legs of the Triple Crown. In later years, Mom loved her daily crosswords, scrabble games, and cryptograms, and even as her ability to read and remember waned, she was spelling words like “fiduciary” and “apocryphal” until the day before she died. Mom was a gentle fun-loving soul, with a flair for hospitality, and what a difference that made in our lives. Mom was predeceased by our beloved dad, J. Raymond Fisher, in 1998, and our brothers, Stephen in 2019 and Harold John in 1950. Her best friend and sister Jean Garry, brother Joe Hoffman, brother-in-law Jack Garry, and son-in-law Tom Neidl also went before her. Mom’s five surviving children and their families celebrate her legacy: Linda Neidl, Jay and Denise Fisher, Barbara and Mark Lyons, Nancy and John Driscoll, and Betsy and Bill Ryan. She was a most excellent and generous Mimi for more than 50 years to her fifteen grandchildren and their partners: Ben (Cyndy), Jess (Bill), Chris (Reena), and Phoebe (Paul) Neidl; Kate (Jared), Sarah (Ashwin), and Matt Fisher; James and Michael (Lizzie) Manzione; John (Genevieve), Kerry, and Bridget (Joseph) Driscoll; and Grace and Wil (Kim) Ryan, and Jayne (Mike) Callahan. Mom was a proud great-grandmother to Annabelle, Eloise, Lucy, Som, and Haroun Neidl; George Hamill; Logan and Jameson Stutesman; Sam and Alex Fisher; Dorothy, Raymond, and Vincent Manzione; and Duke and Nora Callahan. She also leaves her sister-in-law Joyce Hoffman and many nieces, nephews, and cousins to remember her with love and affection. Just as she did for us, we would have done anything for our mom, and we are so grateful to have been able to care for her at home. It was our joy and privilege to do so. Special thanks to Dr. Barbara Hauser and her office manager Jennifer Manziano for their many years of attentive care; her dedicated Hospice team Erin Nickel, Nicole Saunders, and Rebecca Porsia; and to Bibi Ramdihall and Antoinette Welch, her most gifted and compassionate aides. Their loving support meant the world to her and to us. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joan’s family Tuesday, March 10, 2026 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only. Funeral services Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 10:30 am at the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street (Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle Way), Albany, NY 12208 where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Mass can be viewed through the Parish web site. The Rite of Committal will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY immediately following the Mass. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com Those who wish may send contributions in our mom’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, NENY Chapter, 455 Patroon Creek Blvd., Suite 108, Albany, NY 12206 or www.cff.org.

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Joan H. Fisher

August 7, 1923 - March 6, 2026