Mechanicville, NY - Joan Ann Ford Carola passed away June 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving children at her home in Mechanicville. She was born January 23, 1935, at Leonard Hospital in Troy, New York.

Joan was the daughter of the late Agatha DeCelle Ford and Joseph E. Ford.

She lived at her parents' home in Hemstreet Park, across the Hudson River from Mechanicville, for the first 23 years of her life.

Joan studied piano at the Troy Conservatory of Music and was a 1952 graduate of Mechanicville High School. After graduating from Alfred State College in Alfred, New York, in 1954 she was employed in the medical field by Dr. Leo D. Freydberg in Troy. She later was employed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy as a statistician.

On January 19, 1958, she married W. Donald Carola of Mechanicville. Joan worked as the bookkeeper in her late husband's law office and in her daughter Andrea J. DiDomenico's law office for a total of 35 years.

An avid bowler for nearly 70 years, Joan was a former member of the Keglers and Women's City Bowling Leagues in Mechanicville, and bowled for more than 30 years in the Thursday night mixed doubles league at Saratoga Strike Zone in Saratoga Springs.  Also, she was a former member of the Schenectady Curling Club.

She loved spending time with her family, and she hosted many large gatherings every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve for decades, along with numerous birthday and anniversary parties and family dinners. She was an avid Saratoga Race Course fan and looked forward every summer to opening day. Joan followed horse racing year-round and enjoyed trips to local and out-of-town casinos with family and friends.

Survivors include her children: Andrea DiDomenico (Joseph) of Mechanicville, Christopher (Colleen "Kelley" Lester) of Saratoga Springs, Donald (Patricia) of Mechanicville, Barry of Mechanicville, and Erin Knotek (Kevin) of Cody, Wyoming; grandchildren: Michael (Megan) DiDomenico, Joelle (Jordan) Guerrero, Stacia Carola, Allison Carola, Abigail Carola, Kathryn Carola, James Carola, Miles Knotek (Kayla Rowe) and Kara Knotek. Also, great-grandchildren Mia Rose Guerrero, Luca Danilo Guerrero and John Joseph DiDomenico.

Joan is also survived by her sister, Kathryn M. Ford, and her nephews Frank J. Polsinello and Dr. Mark J. Polsinello (Laurie), and niece Colleen M. Franklin (Matthew), as well as her cousins in the DeCelle family, and numerous friends who displayed their loyalty to Joan through the years.

The Carola family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, specialists and attendants who cared for our beloved "Joanie" in recent years, especially Dr. Stephen S. Sgambati Jr. of Mechanicville.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11am to 1pm on Friday, June 30, 2023 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church (St. Paul's), 121 N. Main Street, Mechanicville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1pm by the Rev. George Fleming.

Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery.

Donations in Joan's memory can be made to the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center-Food Pantry, 6 South Main Street, Mechanicville, New York or the All Saints on the Hudson Parish-Youth Ministry, 52 William Street, Mechanicville, New York.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.