Joan Marie Tully

Phoenix, AZ - Joan M. Tilford Tully, 85, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ surrounded by her family. Joan Marie was born March 10, 1932 in Manhattan, NY, daughter of the late Edward Holden and Frances Fischer. She attended catholic school in Manhattan and received her nursing training from Bellevue Hospital Nursing School.

She married Samuel Tilford in 1953. They lived in Mahopac, NY where they raised five children later moving to Mesa AZ and then settling in Chatham, NY. Her husband Samuel passed away in 1993. She married Thomas Tully in 1995. They lived in Chatham, NY and retired in Boynton Beach, FL. Thomas passed away in 2007.

Joan was an LPN and worked in various hospitals and nursing homes (Barnwell Nursing Home in Valatie) in New York and Arizona. She retired from nursing when she met Tom Tully and settled in Florida. In Florida she enjoyed traveling, swimming and most of all doing musical shows where she could dance and sing.

She is survived by her husband Arthur Swanberg of Boynton Beach, FL. Her children: Eileen Winslow of Chatham, NY, William Tilford of Boynton Beach, FL, Michele (Richard) Wojnar of Port Leyden, NY, Edward (Dawn) Tilford of Phoenix, AZ, Amy (Ted) Fiebke of New Lebanon, NY. Her step-children: John (Kathy) Tully of Naples, FL, Kathleen (Mike) Houser of Victor, NY, Ann (Donald) Robitaille of Albany, NY, James (Colleen) Tully of Clearwater/Treasure Island, FL, Martin (Barabara) Tully of Albany, NY, Daniel (Alane) Tully of Ruskin, FL, Joseph (Tiko) Tully of Secaucus, NJ and Katie Swanberg of Boynton, Beach, FL. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild as well as her step-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brothers William and Edward.

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, May 12th at 11am, St. James Catholic Church, 117 Hudson Ave. Chatham, NY. Luncheon to follow in Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.