Joan Minnis Obituary

Joan Beatrice Minnis

HOOSICK FALLS - Joan Beatrice Minnis passed away on March 15, 2026, at the age of 94. She was one of five daughters born to the late Geoffrey Herbert and Ethel (Harbo) Minnis. Joan was born and raised in the lovely village of Hastings-on-Hudson, in Westchester County, N.Y.

After graduation from high school in 1949, Joan was employed by the Rockefeller Foundation and General Dynamics in Manhattan before going overseas to work for the U.S. Army in Heidelberg, Germany, where she served for 5 years as secretary to the Provost Marshal and Adjutant General. While in Germany, Joan had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe.

Returning to the U.S., Joan began her career with the Defense Mapping Agency in March 1971 as a secretary in The Public Affairs Office. She served in that office until December 1974, when she was promoted to the Finance and Accounting Office. Joan took courses in public affairs and became a Public Affairs Specialist when she transferred to the Public Affairs Office in the DMA Hydrographic/Topographic Affairs Office in Bethesda, MD. She later returned to the Headquarters DMA Public Affairs Office, where she advanced to the grade of GS-11 and became a member of the Public Relations Society (PRS) before retiring in January 1995. After her retirement, Joan relocated to the Glens Falls area and enjoyed many happy occasions with her family.

Joan embraced her English and Norwegian heritage. Because of her father's British roots, she was able to apply for and receive dual British citizenship. She also provided research material for the book "Daring the Sea" written about her Norwegian grandfather's successful feat of rowing a small boat across the Atlantic Ocean with a fellow Norwegian in 1896. She inspired her family to continue to treasure the family history and pass it on to the next generations.

Joan was predeceased by her four sisters, Barbara M. Haskell, Cortland, N.Y. , Una M. Galli, Durham, N.C., Patricia A. Daly, Queensbury, N.Y., and Janet M. Hunt, Queensbury, N.Y.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Joan will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Church of the Messiah, 296 Glen Street in Glens Falls. Burial will follow in Pine View Cemetery on Quaker Road, Queensbury.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org.