Joan Johnson Mullaly

MULLALY, Joan E. (Johnson) Died suddenly after a brief illness at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 at the age of 71.She was born on April 17, 1940 in Wilkes Barre, PA to John and Merle Millard Kithcart. She is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, John M. Mullaly; beloved children with spouses: Bobbi (Bill) Furnas of Elmira, NY; Mike (Linda) Johnson of Harleysville, PA; Mark (Kathi) Johnson of Athens, PA; Toni (Paul) Abrahams of Ridgefield, CT; Steve (Mary Peckham) Johnson of Silver Spring, MD; Joann (Brad) Watkins of Watsontown, PA; Daniel (Kandi) Mullaly of Richmond, VA; Nancy (Todd) Adams of State College, PA; much loved grandchildren: Joshua, Rachel Furnas; Justin (Jordan), Sean Johnson; Brooks Johnson; Michelle, Derek and Katelyn Englegman; Alex, Talia and Maya Abrahams; Gabriela, Annabele Johnson; Jack, Catherine Watkins; Kaila, Austin and Savannah Mullaly; adored great granddaughter, Kaylee Johnson; aunt, Carole (Jack) Soper; uncle, Sheldon (Leah) Millard. Her grandson, Chase Johnson predeceased her in 2009. Joan enjoyed many lifelong passions.When her five children were young, she was always active in her children’s various activities such as Girl Scouts as Troop Leader, the Athens Little League concession stand where many enjoyed her homemade food and was a constant presence doing volunteer work in the Athens schools system. Joan worked for many years as an office manager for Bill Ballenstedt State Farm Insurance where she learned her love and skill for business.Later in life, her volunteering spirit led her to the Bradford County Humane Society in Ulster where she was able to serve her lifelong love of animals by tirelessly advocating for their protection. She dedicated endless hours fundraising for the shelter with the goal of making it a financially strong organization that will benefit the community for years to come. However, there was no role more important to Joan than her role as mother and grandmother.As a mother, her unconditional love and guidance helped her children pursue opportunities in their education and careers that were not available to her. This was a significant accomplishment in her life.In the loving words of her granddaughter Rachel:“She was full of life and love and leaves too soon behind an enormous legacy through her five loving children, eleven wonderful grandchildren and one beautiful great granddaughter. We will all continue to grow and benefit from her guidance and memory.” Joan was ever present at all of her children and grandchildren’s activities especially the sporting events that her family enthusiastically participated in including football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, cross country, soccer and baseball.Her support of her daughters’ years of competitive swimming eventually led her to become a swimming official for the PIAA for many years. No memory of Joan is complete without mentioning her welcoming home, open arms and good home cooking.To her grandchildren, it was just “Grandma’s house on the hill”, the home she built with her loving husband John. It was a place everyone could go to put the outside world away for a weekend together or a holiday.Her grandchildren always knew what to expect…great food, big hugs, games, laughter, and a goodnight kiss as she waved them off down the hill. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira/Southport, NY on Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Funeral services honoring her life will follow the visitation at 5 PM. The Reverend Gary Chorpenning will celebrate her services. Interment will take place on Monday in the Bentley Creek Cemetery Gillett, PA. The family will provide their own flowers. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to the Bradford County Humane Society P. O. Box # 179 Route # 220 Ulster, PA 18850. Joan's guestbook may be signed in obituaries at www.olthof.com