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Joan Bohn

Joan Bohn

The lovable Joan Bohn, 72, of Clayton, NC, formerly of Dunkirk, NY passed away April 26, 2018 after a year and a half long battle with Amyloidosis. She was at home with her devoted husband, Bob, and her daughter, Kathy by her side. In January, Joan’s doctor told her that treatment was no longer working. Rather than spending her time doctoring, she chose to enjoy the time she had left with family and friends in hospice care at home. She was grateful for having lived a

full life, rather than bitter about dying. There were incredible ups and downs, but amazingly, this outlook

worked for her (most of the time), and she was at peace. There were benefits, like being able to say goodbye, being showered with love, and having some fun, as much as her disease would allow.Joan was born in Dunkirk, on October 29, 1945. She graduated from Cardinal Mindszenty high school and studied at D’Youville College in Buffalo, before getting married and starting a family. She worked for the Department of Social Services until her retirement in 2000.Joan was an independent thinker and a gentle soul. She enjoyed reading, letter writing, the Sunday crossword, a game of scrabble, tending to her garden & bird houses, spaghetti dinners, yard sales & thrift stores, watching British mysteries, sewing and crafting, traveling, visiting a farm, a bookstore, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved to entertain and bake her signature lemon meringue and apple pies. Joan’s Catholic upbringing was reflected in her affection and devotion for Mary, the blessed mother. She also found peace and inspiration from Buddha. She lived her life with gratitude and a spirit of adventure. She was a devoted Mother, a ‘Monkey Mama’ kind of Granny, a true friend, a compassionate social worker, a regular blood donor, a volunteer and friend at the senior center, a supporter of sock bundles for the homeless, a maker of bibs for handicapped children, a designer and maker of dresses for girls in Haiti. She always looked forward to returning to Dunkirk each summer to help with Annual Lake Shore Humane Society yard sale,

working tirelessly in the garden section. She was always thinking of others — giving thoughtful gifts, meaningful words,

handmade crafts, yard sale finds, and of course, baked goods. She was a giver right up until the end, donating her body to science in hopes of shedding light on the rare disease that took her life away.Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Martha (Kubasik) Fiebelkorn; and her late husband, William “Bill” Dill. Joan is survived by her beloved husband, Robert (“Bob”) Bohn, and her four charming daughters: Karen Gardner (Jim), Amy Kuschel Brugger (Bill), Kathy Abrahamson (Todd), and Julie Parks. She has seven wonderful grandchildren: Alexis, Courtney, Zoe, Luke, Patrick, Alice, and Lauryn. And two sweet great-grandsons, Eagan and Owyn. She is also survived by two beautiful sisters Trudy Sajdak (Dick), Nancy Antrobus (Marty), and two supportive brothers, Michael Fiebelkorn, Karl Fiebelkorn (Tina), and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. She surrounded herself with a host of very dear friends including Joanne, Cathy, Martha, Louise, Ms. Helen and Claire. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held Saturday, August 11th at 2PM at the Dunkirk Conference Center, 3602 Lake Shore Dr. E., Dunkirk, NY 14048.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Helen Little Haiti Foundation (HLHF) 3833 Hidden Branches Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613.