Joan Dwyer

Rensselaer - Joan Ann Kugler Dwyer, 87, of Rensselaer passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Albany, August 8, 1930, she was the daughter of the late John and Amelia Brecht Kugler. She was predeceased by her brothers John "Jack" Kugler and Vincent Kugler, sisters Kathryn Stapleton, Sr. Marie Kugler, DC, and Mildred Kugler. After growing up in Albany, she worked at National Commercial Bank. This is where she met her lifelong sweetheart and soulmate, Jack Dwyer. For a brief time, Joan traded banking for full-time motherhood after the birth of her daughter, Elaine Patricia, and then her son Paul Christopher. She went back to work at Citibank in Averill Park, and then transferred to the Rensselaer Branch as Head Teller. Joan retired in 1987. Joan and Jack were married June 26, 1954. She loved spending vacations with her honey in Maine, Cape Cod, Delaware, and Wildwood. She had a special love of the ocean, and her favorite place, Nubble Lighthouse. Joan adored spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and grand puppies, Clancy, Sadie, Maggie and Finnley. Joan enjoyed spending Sundays gathered around the dinner table with her family. She made every holiday so very special. The wonderful memories we have of our times together with her and Jack will always be treasured. She was the devoted mother of daughter Elaine (Steven) Bullinger and son Paul (Deborah) Dwyer; her grandchildren Erin, Steven, Katie, Brian, Tiffany and Shannon; great-grandchildren Xavier, Elias and Isaiah. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marjorie "Monnie" Kugler, brother-in-law Mayor Daniel Dwyer and sister-in-law Lee Dwyer. Joan is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. She will be terribly missed by her loving family and dear friends, but we know how happy she is to be reunited with the love of her life. We'd like to give a special thank you to the nurses and aides of the A3 Wing at Van Rensselaer Manor. You showed our Mom such caring and compassion at a time she needed it most. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Funeral will be from the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer, Tuesday morning at 9:00 am and 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph's Church, Herrick Street Rensselaer, where the liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4pm to 7pm. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.