On September 2, 2024, Joan L. Akin heard the words "Well Done thou Good and Faithful Servant" as she entered the Gates of Heaven.

Born in Delhi NY, on January 13, 1933 , to the late Fred and Blanche Cleveland, she was raised alongside her brothers, Bernard (Kathleen) and (the late) Fred Jr (Ruth), in the one horse town of Bloomville, NY. She graduated from South Kortright Central, and went on to graduate with a 2 yr degree in Culinary Arts from Delhi Tech. While at college, she met and fell in love with (the late great) Bruce M. Akin of Johnsonville, NY. They married on June 14, 1952 and had 5 children: (the late) Scott (Donna), Mark (Sandy), Kurt (Joan Jr), (the late) Sharon, & Dean (Jean). Through the years, they raised their family in the towns of Newburgh, Beacon, and Wappingers Falls, NY, before finally settling in Melrose, NY.

Joan grew up in the Catholic church, and in the 1970's, while watching The Billy Graham Crusade on TV, she got on her knees, in their family room, and gave her life to Jesus. She continued to faithfully serve Him until He called her home. She and Bruce were among the founding members of the Hoosic Valley Community Church in Schaghticoke. In more recent years, Joan worshiped with her family at Rolling Hills Christian Fellowship.

Joan was a Grandma to 13, Great-Grandma to 19, and Great-Great Grandma to 1. She was a Grandma figure to many, including neighbors, youth group teens, and daycare kids. When her Great-Grandchildren were born, she became affectionately known as "GG", a name that she proudly adopted. From that point on, with anyone she met (including friends from her generation), she said, "Just call me GG!".

GG taught her boys, grands and great grands the fundamentals of cooking, including the proper way to measure ingredients, and to never lick your fingers!. She will best be remembered for her constant singing, her blueberry buckle, words of wisdom, the iconic dance moves, and her many "GG-isms".

Her Family is eternally grateful to Hospice and Hand-in-Hand, ( Candie, Jenn, Leslie & Hannah) for the amazing comfort and care that they provided during GG's last days.

We invite friends and family to come celebrate "A Life Well Lived" on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11am at Christ United Methodist Church, 22 Bridge Street in Johnsonville, NY. At GG's request, the attire for the service is casual, comfortable, and BRIGHT colors! In Lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to fund a water tank for Kaymboga School in Uganda Africa. The Uganda Water Project is something that Joan faithfully supported in her giving. Checks can be sent and made payable to Grace Christian School, 104 Kocher Drive, Bennington, VT 05201,(memo: Joan Akin).