Obituary of Joan B. Kingsley

FOWLER – Joan B. Kingsley, age 87, of Fowler, passed away on January 6, 2024 at United Helpers Nursing Home. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church with Pastor Ben Lalka officiating. Burial will be in the Hailesboro Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Joan was born on June 10, 1936 in Auburn, NY to Harry C. and Helen I. (Cummings) Bibbens. She graduated from Weedsport High School in 1954 followed by Cayuga County Community College (1956) and SUNY Oswego (1958). She continued graduate work at Oswego and Potsdam State. She married David K. Kingsley on June 25, 1966 at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church with Rev. Stanley Brown officiating. She began her teaching career at Ilion Central School where she taught for three years. She then worked for the next 31 years as a beloved kindergarten teacher at Fowler Elementary, part of the Gouverneur School District, teaching generations of students. She is listed in the first and second edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers having been nominated by former students. She was a member of the Gouverneur Retired Teachers Association and a life member of the New York State Retirement Association. She was a member of the Gouverneur United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir for many years. She enjoyed reading, doing word puzzles, playing cards and watching Yankee baseball games. She will be remembered locally for her Halloween cookies. Joan is survived by a son, Daniel M. and his wife Tina Kingsley; a daughter-in-law, Denise Kingsley; a granddaughter, Hannah Kingsley all of Gouverneur; three sisters Patricia (Arthur) Cantrell of Liverpool, Judith (Greg) Green, Jayne (Cyril) Paige both of Fernandina Beach, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband, David K. who passed away in 2008; a son, David M. (2011); two brothers, Thomas H. Bibbens, Richard J. Bibbens, and a sister, Phyllis B. McWethy. Donations may be made in Joan's memory to the Gouverneur United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.