Brunswick- Joan M. (Rifenburg) Crook, 88, died peacefully Monday, August 25, 2025, at her longtime Tamarac family home with her loving family by her side following a short illness.
Born January 15, 1937, in Troy, Joan was the daughter of the late Alvah B. and Anna (Ziegler) Rifenburg and, for over 66 years, the wife of the late John W. “Jack” Crook Jr., who predeceased her in 2022.
Joan attended the Brunswick District School #12 and graduated from Troy High School, Class of 1954. After raising her family, she was employed by the Brittonkill Central School District, where she worked as a special education teacher’s aide. After more than 21 years of working with many children whom she loved, she retired in 2001.
Joan was a devoted communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church and served, for over 55 years, in various ministries there.
Joan enjoyed and spent many years with her husband, family, and many friends camping throughout the east coast as a member of the Wandering Wings Camping Club. She had a beautiful smile and a loving, giving personality. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and watching the birds from her porch, but, above all else, loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her children and their spouses, Joyce and Jim Fillmore of Coventry, RI, Janet and Jaime Thomas of Speigletown, Julie Oppe, and John A. Crook, both of Brunswick, three grandchildren, Jennifer (Thomas) Yetto, Zachary Oppe, and Kayla (Oppe) Davidson, her sister-in-law, Karen (Crook) Mortimer, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and late husband, Joan was predeceased by her sister, Ann Smith, and a grandson, Gregory Thomas.
A Mass of Christian Resurrection for Joan will be celebrated by Fr. Tom Morrette on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Sycaway. Burial will follow in Eagle Mills Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 N. Lake Ave., Troy, NY 12180, or Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144, in memory of Joan M. Crook.
Born January 15, 1937, in Troy, Joan was the daughter of the late Alvah B. and Anna (Ziegler) Rifenburg and, for over 66 years, the wife of the late John W. “Jack” Crook Jr., who predeceased her in 2022.
Joan attended the Brunswick District School #12 and graduated from Troy High School, Class of 1954. After raising her family, she was employed by the Brittonkill Central School District, where she worked as a special education teacher’s aide. After more than 21 years of working with many children whom she loved, she retired in 2001.
Joan was a devoted communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church and served, for over 55 years, in various ministries there.
Joan enjoyed and spent many years with her husband, family, and many friends camping throughout the east coast as a member of the Wandering Wings Camping Club. She had a beautiful smile and a loving, giving personality. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and watching the birds from her porch, but, above all else, loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her children and their spouses, Joyce and Jim Fillmore of Coventry, RI, Janet and Jaime Thomas of Speigletown, Julie Oppe, and John A. Crook, both of Brunswick, three grandchildren, Jennifer (Thomas) Yetto, Zachary Oppe, and Kayla (Oppe) Davidson, her sister-in-law, Karen (Crook) Mortimer, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and late husband, Joan was predeceased by her sister, Ann Smith, and a grandson, Gregory Thomas.
A Mass of Christian Resurrection for Joan will be celebrated by Fr. Tom Morrette on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Sycaway. Burial will follow in Eagle Mills Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 N. Lake Ave., Troy, NY 12180, or Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144, in memory of Joan M. Crook.
