Joan Crane

January 4, 2020

New Russia Having played her last gig on this Earth, renowned guitar and banjo player, singer, and composer Joan Crane, is now entertaining in the Heavens. A fixture throughout the North Country, Joan entertained thousands of fans at countless venues, which included the Palmer St. Coffee House and Crete Center in Plattsburgh, farmers’ markets, fairs, churches, and many more. For several years during the 1980’s she was a disc jockey on Plattsburgh station KDR as she interviewed notable personalities as well as played her guitar and sang. Joan also enjoyed mentoring up and coming musicians. Joan’s proudest achievement came when she was the FIRST woman to perform at the International Guitar Luthiers Symposium and invited back. Joan was predeceased by her parents William A. and Dorothy E. Phillips, and her sister Barbara Phillips. Survivors include her brother Richard (Joan), her sister Kathy (Dan) Duniho, and son Paul (Sarah), as well as her beloved feline companion Little Girl. Joan led a spiritual life which at the end allowed her to peacefully join her Lord and Creator. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Westport Federated Church, Route 9N, Westport. Those wanting to contribute funds to her memory may do so to the North Country SPCA (ncspca.org), or the Federated Church of Westport c/o Pastor Tom Smith (westportfederatedchurch.org). Additional information at: Westport Federated Church on Facebook. Thoughts and memories may be submitted to the Heald Funeral Home (healdfuneralhomeinc.com) . A memorial concert in Joan’s honor will be held sometime next spring.