Joan Roach Amell

Joan Roach Amell of West Hartford CT, and previously of Scotia NY, passed away at home on March 18, 2024. Joan was born April 15, 1933, along with her twin sister Jean in Plattsburgh NY to parents Emmett J. and Lillian C. Roach. Joan was predeceased by her parents, her husband Arnold, sisters Patricia Whalen Maley and Jean McMillan and daughter in law Cindy Amell. She is survived by her children James Amell (partner Patricia Adams) of Gansevoort NY, Jeffrey (Mary Martin) of West Hartford CT and Mary Jo Spath (Michael) of Franklin MA; grandchildren Megan (Caleb) Farrell, Molly (Travis) Bush, Kaitlin, Bridget and Emily Spath, and Grace and James Amell, and four great grandchildren. Survived by her sisters Barbara Waters and Doreen (James) Ryan, sister-in-law Shirley Amell and many nieces and nephews. Joan graduated from the College of St. Rose in 1955 with a BA degree in English. She started her career as an English teacher in Beekmantown NY. Joan later taught piano lessons to her three children and a number of neighborhood kids for many years, and also taught English as a second language. In addition to her family, Joan’s joys in life were music especially playing piano, spending time at her family camp on Lake Champlain and traveling with her husband. Joan was a member of AAUW, Thursday Musical Club, Sunnyview Auxiliary Board, St. Rose Alumni Association and was a long-time communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia NY. The family would like to especially thank Julette Samuels for her dedicated and compassionate care for the last several years. Calling hours will be held Friday March 22, 2024, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Molloy Funeral Home at 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday March 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 47 Pleasant St. West Hartford CT. Burial alongside her husband will be conducted on Monday March 25, 2024, with a brief memorial service at 1 p.m. at the Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery, Schuylerville NY In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Arnold A. Amell Scholarship Fund at the SUNY Plattsburgh Foundation.

Joan Roach Amell

April 15, 1933 - March 18, 2024