STUYVESANT—March 7, 2025, at the age of 87, Joan Ann Bellanger entered into the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at her home in Stuyvesant. In her last days, she was surrounded by her loving family.
Joan Ann Dixon was born November 1, 1937 in Manhattan, to the late Gerald Dixon and Ella (Graf) Dixon Sharp. She grew up in Voorheesville and graduated from Voorheesville High School in 1955. She married her beloved, Donald Bellanger February 26, 1959. They spent 56 years together in the countryside of Stuyvesant, until his passing in 2015. She remained in Stuyvesant 10 more years until her passing. She was especially close to her mother-in-law, Grace, who lived next door. They were dear friends, until her passing in 1996.
She loved dancing and singing. She could really cut a rug – jitterbugging was her favorite. She had a beautiful voice and taught her four daughters to sing when they were very young. In 1978, she lost over 100 lbs and began working as a “lecturer” for the Weight Watchers company–a part-time job she was very passionate about. After being a homemaker and raising their daughters, she attended Columbia-Greene Community College and earned her degree in accounting in 1983—at the age of 45. She and her daughter, Joanne “Joie” graduated from college together. She went on to work at Pine Haven Nursing Home in Philmont, from where she retired. Then she and her husband toured the U.S. and Canada in their motorhome working as volunteers at various national parks and wildlife refuges. They also enjoyed some international travel—including a few cruises. During those times, she enjoyed writing and mailing a newsletter of their travels and adventures. That, later turned into her love for updating her Facebook friends every night of the day’s happenings.
In 2022, she began attending West Sand Lake Community Church with her daughter, Brenda and husband Tim. There, she found her beloved church family. In the summer 2023, she was baptized in a local lake with all of her family there to witness.
She leaves behind: daughters, Terri Bellanger, Donna Gleason (Dave Hamm), Joanne (late Jim) DeFayette, and Brenda (Tim) Embry. She was “Meema” to her seven grandchildren, “BJ” Gleason, TJ (Chevette), Leighanna and Rebecca Embry, Nathan (Laura Johnston), Jared and Owen DeFayette. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Rosemary Bellanger, Beverly “Susie” Holsopple, several nieces and nephews; many dear friends and her beloved faithful dog, Annabelle.
Besides her parents, husband and mother-in-law, she was preceded in death by: her brother, Gerald D. Dixon (Diane); her father-in-law, John Bellanger; her son-in-law, Jim DeFayette; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John (Jean) Bellanger, Robert (Barbara) Bellanger, Richard (Hellen) Bellanger, Ralph Bellanger and Ken Holsopple.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11 a.m. at West Sand Lake Community Church, 4363 NY-150, (Rensselaer County). A luncheon will follow. In the summer, she and her husband will be laid to rest at Saratoga National Cemetery, where a military service will commemorate Mr. Bellanger’s honorable service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse–a favorite ministry of hers.
Cremation arrangements were with Simple Choices, Inc. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com.
