Joan K. Wilgocki

February 9, 1936 - September 18, 2020

Schenectady- Joan K. Wilgocki, 84 of Schenectady passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2020. Born on February 9, 1936 in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Lillian (Kachanuski) Kazakavich. Joan graduated from Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady. After graduating, she began working at General Electric Company. After starting a family, she dedicated herself as a homemaker and then went on to work for New York State in Tax and Finance as an Administrative Secretary until her retirement. Joan was a devout Catholic. She was a parishioner of the former Holy Cross Church in Schenectady and then shared her dedication between St. Adalbert’s Church and St. Joseph’s Church, both located in Schenectady. Joan loved to sing in the church choir and would often go to church devotions to St. Jude and the Blessed Sacrament. Joan also used her knitting skills to create prayer shawls. In addition to her faith, Joan was dedicated to her family. She would follow her sons and grandchildren’s sports games, and was referred to as, “Grandma Gock.” Joan would travel up and down the east coast, sometimes into Canada, and was always there to cheer them on. She was known for her delicious cooking, being a homemaker to her family and enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing. Joan was a devoted Union Hockey fan, Boston Red Sox fan and Boston Bruins fan. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her loving husband, Edward Wilgocki, who passed in 2003; her beloved son, Mark Wilgocki, who also passed in 2003; brothers-in-law, Michael Gainor, Lawrence Wilgocki and Richard Wilgocki and her godmother, Helen Petrokus. She is survived by her loving and dedicated son, Matthew Wilgocki; grandchildren, Bryan (Victoria) Wilgocki, Megan (Vincent) Bottone, Ashley Wilgocki, David Wilgocki and Matthew (Aliza) Wilgocki; great- grandchildren, Vincent and Stella Bottone, Grace Wilgocki and Bentley Hannah; brother, Vincent (Judy) Kazakavich; sisters, Stacey (Peter) Smallidge and Helen “Kazzy” Gainor; daughter-in-law, Valerie Wilgocki; special nieces, Alicia DiCerbo and Marissa (Michael) Suarez and special great- nephew and niece, Anthony and Amelia Suarez. Joan is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 9 am at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 600 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305. No calling hours are scheduled. Interment will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Schenectady.