Joann Tarbox
Date of Departure
January 22, 2023Obituary
Tarbox, Joann (Cray)
BRUNSWICK - Joann C. Tarbox, 91, passed away on January 22, 2023.
Born in Stockton, N.J., to the late Helen and Andrew Cray. Joann attended Douglas College at Rutgers University and later earned a master's degree at SUNY Albany.
She moved to Brunswick in 1954, when she married John Tarbox, with whom she shared a love of Guernsey cattle. In Brunswick, they raised six children and tended the family farm.
Joann led a full life of dedicated service to her community and family. She devoted most of her professional career to Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension (RCCE) and 4-H where she taught numerous people to sew, cook, manage a budget and preserve food. Joann frequently appeared on TV and radio sharing her knowledge of home economics throughout the Capital District. She proudly served as director of RCCE prior to retirement. While serving on the Brunswick Town Board she spearheaded construction of the Keyes Lane Community Center with grant writing and project oversight. Joann served at St. John's Episcopal Church on the alter and flower guild, was a member of the Van Rensselaer Garden Club and the Schaghticoke Fair Board.
Following retirement from RCCE she traveled and started Earth's Bounty a roadside stand selling farm raised vegetables, fruit, flowers, beef, handmade crafts, and quilts. Joann and her mother were gifted artists which she parlayed to her children and grandchildren. She loved to read, and her quilting continued until her last days.
She leaves behind her children, Andrew (Judy), David (Jayne), Anne (Anthony) Grab, Jane (John) Luskin, Linda (John) Stancliffe; 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren of which she was extremely proud. Joann is survived by siblings, Phillipa Keener, John 'Skip' Cray, VT. , and several nieces and nephews. She is precedence by her beloved husband, John Robert Tarbox; son, Walter F. Tarbox (1980), and two sisters.
The family sends sincere appreciation to all who visited and helped their mom, especially Lynn Moody for her loving assistance over many years.
A memorial service will be held January 28, 2023, at 1 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1st and Liberty St., Troy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walter Tarbox Memorial Scholarship @ SUNY ESF esf.edu/donate/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Service
Saturday, January 28, 2023
1:00 PM
Ft. John's Episcopal Church
146 First St.
Troy, NY 12306
