Marie Joan Clifford

Marie “Joan” Clifford, 94, of Pine Harbor Assisted Living in Plattsburgh, NY passed away on Thursday August 1, 2024 with her family by her side . Joan, as she was known by to her friends and family, was born on September 22, 1929 to Louis and Louise (Breotti) Valente of Rutland, Vt. She attended Mount St. Joseph Academy, where she was an Honor student and the lead Cheerleader. In 1952, she married Merritt Charles Clifford, also of Rutland, Vt. After his military service ended and he finished his post graduate education, they settled in Plattsburgh, NY where he became a teacher and later an Administrator/Principal with Plattsburgh City School District. Joan worked 17 years for the Beekmantown Central School District beginning first as an Administrative Assistant at the high school and later as a Certified Teachers Assistant, specializing in Reading, at Cumberland Head Elementary school. After retirement, she was a volunteer at CVPH Medical Center, a reading buddy at Monty Street elementary school, substitute taught and worked part time for Weight Watchers. Joan was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, attending many in person games in her younger years and rarely missed a game on television as the years went by. She loved doing the crossword puzzle in the Press Republican, followed politics closely but was best known for her Italian cooking and baking around the holidays . Family and friends always loved her famous breads and cookie platters . They were the centerpiece at family gatherings, weddings and other special events . When all else failed she would tell you that nothing could solve your problems better than a dish of macaroni. Joan loved to bowl and was part of many leagues . In later years she traveled with and to her family. She spent many winters in Arizona with her daughter. She followed her grandchildren’s sporting events , especially hockey and baseball and was always one of the favorite Grandmas in the stands. Over her lifetime in Plattsburgh she was active in her community. Her service included chairing the Cancer Drive in Plattsburgh, Cumberland Head and Cliff Haven. She was a past President of the Ladies of the Elks and of the Plattsburgh Mothers Club. Joan is survived by her sister , Lois Scoskie, of Long Island, NY, two daughters , Deborah Harney ( Ken Klock ) of Morrisonville NY, and Sandra Esposito (Michael) of Troutman , North Carolina . She had 7 grandchildren and their spouses, Wendy Harney Jarvis, Jay Harney, Kimberly Harney Hock, David Harney, Clifford Conners, Brett Peryer and Jonna Peryer . Additionally, she had many great and great great grandchildren and a very special niece, Renee Scoskie and nephew Robert Scoskie II. Her family was a source of great joy in her life and they will carry her wisdom with them in her loss. Marie Joan is predeceased by her parents, her husband Merritt, her daughter, Cindy Clifford Ledyard, and a brother in law, Robert Scoskie . At her request, she will be honored at a private Celebration of Life at Brown Funeral Home, presided over by Father Reamer, after which her ashes will be interred next to her husband and daughter at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh. Services will be held at a later date . Donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital , which was her favorite charity, and Hospice of the North Country.