Joan (Ushkow) Spector

Joan Spector (Ushkow), age 79, of Farmington, CT passed away on December 3, 2024. She left behind yards of yarn, numerous pairs of bedazzled jeans and a few mahjong winnings.

Joan is survived by Frank, her loving and mostly patient husband of 55 years. They met as teenagers and raised two daughters, Ivy (Larry) Licata and Stephanie Spector. Her true calling began in 2003 when she officially changed her name to Bubbe. The sun rose and set on her two granddaughters, Chelsea and Lindsay Licata. She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Clara Ushkow.

Joan was born in Brooklyn but was raised and loved Queens, NY. She attended Queens College and graduated with Bachelors Degree in Education, even though it required extensive begging to get through Physics.

She and Frank spent nearly 20 years snow birding in West Palm Beach, Florida. She line-danced, walked a 5k and shopped until she dropped.

She had many interests. Joan loved reading, knitting and playing mahjong and canasta. She enjoyed scolding Frank regularly (especially about some of his culinary choices). Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow were top on her playlist. Above all, Joan loved her role as wife, mother and Bubbe. She truly embodied, “G-d could not be everywhere at the same time, so He created mothers”.

Joan retired after 16 years of working as a paraprofessional at Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe CT. She worked with middle schoolers that sometimes didn’t appreciate but always needed her unique humor and guidance.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Beth Moses Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY on December 5, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

Funeral arrangements were made with Weinstein Mortuary (www.weinsteinmortuary.com).

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation “www.iwmf.com”.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation “www.iwmf.com”.