Joan K. Pitkin

Joan K. “Joni” Pitkin, 90, of Brownville, passed away quietly in her home on Wednesday, Oct. 15,2025.

Joni was a devoted wife to her husband Reg and a loving mother to her sons, Shannyn and Shane. Her kindness and unselfishness knew no bounds. A gentle woman, she loved plants and flowers and had a passion for gardening and beautifying her home and lawn. She also loved cars, from her first 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible to her final “baby,” a black 2013 Kia Optima that she was constantly washing and polishing. In her younger days, she enjoyed motorcycling and snowmobiling with her husband. Joni was also an animal lover, caring for several family dogs and cats over the years.

Born Joan Ann Ketcham on July 25, 1935, in Chaumont, the son of Edwin and Margaurite Ketcham, she graduated from Chaumont School and became a department manager at the Agriculture Insurance Company in Watertown before retiring to marry Reginald K. Pitkin on August 4, 1961, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, working side by side with her husband to build their home on Route 12E in Brownville and subsequently becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. They lived their entire lives and raised their two sons in the house.

Joni is survived by her sons and their wives, Shannyn (Donna) Pitkin, Clifton Springs, and Shane (Kara) Pitkin, Ballston Spa; a daughter-in-law, Debora Pitkin, Manchester; an aunt, Ethel Pettey, Three Mile Bay; and several nieces and nephews. An older sister, Hilda, predeceased her. Reg passed away in 2013.

Funeral services will be private for family and relatives only at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the animal shelter of your choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.