Joan Bernice (Joby) Kelly Stracka

Joan (Joby) Kelly Stracka, 87, peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2021, at her home in The Greens at Cannondale, Wilton, CT. Born, Joan Bernice Kelly on March 24, 1934, to Joseph and Emily (Devine) Kelly, Joby grew up in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, NY where she attended St. Raymond School, graduating from Villa Maria Academy of the Bronx in 1951, and from Vassar College in 1955 with a B.A. in Child Study. At Vassar, Joby completed her senior thesis on the study of group therapy as support for emotionally challenged and juvenile delinquent students at P.S 611 in New York City, as she believed it was the "duty of every teacher to know and understand" emotional challenges of their students. In August 1957, Joby married Peter Stracka, Jr. of Binghamton, NY, while he was stationed with the US Army in Ludwigsburg, Germany. During their time 2 years in Germany, they traveled extensively in Europe, and she taught elementary school on the military base. A life-long educator and child advocate, Joby taught grades 1-3 at Prospect Hill School and Siwanoy Elementary School in Pelham Manor, NY from 1955-1957 and 1959-1964. She left teaching to raise her children, Peter Stracka III " Tripper " and Kristin Lee Stracka. As their two children grew, Joby continued to advocate for children, serving in as president of local PTAs for the Tarrytown Public Schools, as District Director of Westchester County PTA and as Business Director on the New York State PTA Executive Board. Her 33 years of dedication to childhood education was recognized by the Children and Parents of the Tarrytowns who awarded her with an Outstanding Service Award in 1988. She volunteered with Little League, Cub Scouts and as a youth religious education teacher, cheerleading coach, and a Literacy Volunteers of America instructor, where she taught English to immigrants in Bonita Springs, FL. An avid golfer, Joby was a member of Leewood Golf Club, Eastchester, NY, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough, NY, Spanish Wells Country Club, Bonita Springs, FL and Heritage Hill Golf Club, Somers, NY. She loved singing, participating in church folk choir, as well as community chorales and choruses. Joby also enjoyed flower arranging, arts and crafts, gourmet cooking, playing bridge, and bowling. A devout catholic, Joby was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ardsley, NY, The Church of the Transfiguration, Tarrytown, NY, St. Leo The Great, Bonita Springs, FL, St. Joseph's, Croton Falls, NY and Our Lady of Fatima, Wilton, CT. Above all, her family was always Joby's primary focus and source of greatest joy. She hosted many family and holiday gatherings, was the consummate storyteller and family historian, and joyfully celebrated the activities, education, accomplishments, and life events of every family member. Joby was predeceased by her husband, Peter Stracka, Jr, sister, Emily (Kelly) Carlough, brother-in-law, H. Spencer Carlough, nephew, Gary Carlough, sister-in-law, Dorothy Stracka Rosinsky and brother-in-law, Edward Stracka. She is survived by her son Peter Stracka III and daughter in-law, Pamela P. Stracka of Naples, FL, daughter, Kristin Stracka McSpedon of Ridgefield, CT, and grandchildren, Ryan McSpedon and Julia McSpedon. She is also survived by a nephew, nieces, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Literacy Volunteers of America, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the American Heart Association or Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.

Joan Bernice (Joby) Kelly Stracka

March 24, 1934 - December 24, 2021