Joan Marie (Christy) Niedbalski, 78, and Joseph Francis "Joe" Niedbalski, 80, both natives of Dunkirk, New York, passed away in St. Louis, Missouri.
Joan died on October 11, 2011 after a courageous battle with endocervical/uterine cancer. Joe passed away on June 6, 2012 from
aspiration pneumonia. Joe had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke nine years previously which left him with severe disabilities. Joan lovingly cared for Joe and they both lived courageously during this period, constantly expressing their faith in God. They each died peacefully in the presence of their children before entering eternal life.
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Joan Marie (Christy) Niedbalski
They are survived by their children: Molly Cline (Steven) St. Louis, MO; Joseph S. Niedbalski (Jan) Gurnee, IL; Peter J. Niedbalski (Debra) Evanston, IL and Jamie Niedbalski, Washington, DC. They have five grandchildren: Grace and John Cline; Joseph and Peter Niedbalski, and Adam Niedbalski. Joan, the oldest of nine children, is survived by seven siblings: Sheila(George) Tederous, Barbara Christy, Stewart "Pete" (Carol) Christy, Kathleen (David) SanGeorge, Ellen Christy (Rich Lipinski), Mary Jane (Richard) Zbcazyniak,
Luke (Sue) Christy and 22 nieces and nephews. Joe is survived by a stepbrother, Julian Niedbalski. Joan and Joe were preceded in death by their infant daughter Christy Niedbalski, Joan's brother John Christy and infant niece Jennifer Christy, her parents Stewart R. and Lorraine Christy, Joe's parents Joseph Frank and Dorothy Niedbalski, and stepmother, Angela Niedbalski.
Joan and Joe had a life-long romance and were married 58 years. They met at the former St. Mary's Academy in Dunkirk and were each other's only sweetheart. They started their married life in Western New York State (Dunkirk, Ithaca, Rochester) where they had their five children. They finished raising them in Kalamazoo, Michigan where they remained until they moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997. Joan was a graduate from Mercy School of Nursing, in Buffalo, New York and loved her life as a nurse and homemaker which she did with great class and style. Joe was a graduate of Cornell University and had a successful career in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Joe also served honorably as a Lieu-tenant in the U.S. Army. He was an avid sportsman throughout his life playing
and coaching numerous sports, and was a high school and college basketball referee for over 39 years.
Joan and Joe fully embraced daily life living as witness to God's love here on earth. Throughout their lives they shared their time,
talents and resources with their family, friends and church communities. They will always be remembered for their indomitable spirit
and capacity for love and joy.
Services: A Memorial Mass celebrating their lives will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 145 East Main Street, in Fredonia, on Saturday, August 25th at 9:30 am. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia immediately following.
