Joan Merrill Foland, 87, of Syracuse, New York, died on January 4, 2023 at
Iroquois Nursing Home.
Born in Providence, RI, to Lowell Benjamin Merrill and Svea Hallberg Merrill. The
family moved to Syracuse, NY in 1945. Joan graduated from Onondaga Valley
Academy and received her Bachelor’s of Science at SUNY Fredonia, New York. In
1984 she received a NYS Realtor’s License. She authored and published a
cooking dictionary and childrens book.
On June 23, 1956, Joan married Lowell J. Foland, and subsequently, lived in
Syracuse, Angola, Afton, Trumansburg, Oneonta, Center Moriches, and Erieville,
NY.
Joan was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cazenovia. She was a
volunteer for Community General Hospital, and served as a literacy volunteer for
many years. Joan was a docent for the Lorenzo Historical Site, a member of the
Fayetteville Owegena DAR and a member of the NYS Society of Mayflower
Descendents.
Joan is survived by her son, Todd Foland of Powhatan, VA, daughters, Amy
(Dennis) O’Rourke of Marcellus, NY, and Louise Hoerter of Midlothian, VA. Her
beloved husband, Lowell J. Foland, brother, William B. Merrill, and a son, Peter C.
Foland predeceased her. Joan is also survived by six grandchildren, Mark and
Jody Foland, Michael and Stephanie O’Rourke, and Peter and Kristin Fitzgerald,
three great grandchildren, Carter, Noelle, and Addison O’Rourke, and several
nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Friday, January 13, 2023, from 4 to 6 pm at Plis Funeral
Home, 33 North St., Marcellus, NY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday,
January 14, 2023, at 11 am at Plis Funeral Home. Internment will be at Erieville
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fingers Lake Organ
Donation