N. Joan Stephen

N. Joan Stephen           “local poet”

PORTVILLE, NY---N. Joan Stephen, 89, of Portville, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017 in the Bradford Manor, Bradford, PA.

Born on October 15, 1927 in Olean, NY, she was a daughter of Howard and Marion Holcomb Brundage.  In 1948 in Westons Mills, she married William N. “Bill” Stephen, who passed away on October 10, 2004.

Joan was a graduate of Olean High School, Class of 1945. She also attended the Pittsburgh Art Institute. 

Joan had been employed in the offices of the former Haseloff Motors in Olean and the Portville Central School.  Along with her husband, she owned and operated the Portside Motel and Portville Storage, both in Portville, until they were sold.  She was employed by her son at Wayne Paving in Shinglehouse until retiring in 1992.  She also enjoyed helping her daughter, Jan, at Jan’s Restaurant in Portville.

Joan loved to write and paint.  Over the years, her writings and poems appeared in many publications including the Buffalo News, the Olean Times Herald, Grit Magazine, and the Patriot and Free Press in Cuba.

Surviving are two sons, William H. (Marlene) Stephen of Ceres, NY and Wayne A. (Lisa) Stephen of Cuba, NY; two daughters, Jan M. Jadlowski of Portville and Julie Bonhoff of Fort Myers, Florida; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Stephen of Garner, NC and Martha Barlet of Underwood, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joan was predeceased by a sister, Ruth Brundage.

Friends may call from 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where a memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Joan, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com