Joan Rosalie (LaFrenier) Porcelli

Troy - Joan Rosalie (LaFrenier) Porcelli, died on Friday, June 4, 2021 after a long illness. She was 89 years old. She was the daughter of Joseph A. and Olivia (Filkin) LaFrenier. Born in Troy, N.Y.   Joan lived an incredible life, filled with deep friendships, adventure and love. Joan grew up in Lansingburgh, N.Y. She graduated from Lansingburgh High School and Russell Sage College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She used her degree to serve as an Executive Assistant in several local businesses.  

Joan married Dr. Lawrence E. Porcelli in 1955 and began a life journey together. Joan married into a proud Italian American family embracing her assimilation into diverse cultures to start a family. After their marriage, Lawrence served in Korea while Joan stayed behind working in Troy and waiting for his return. When Lawrence returned he began his family medical practice in Troy with Joan by his side. They welcomed a son and a daughter by adoption, Stephen in 1962 and Lisa in 1964.  While she could not have children on her own, through the help of Catholic Charities, Joan had the privilege of gaining a son and a daughter who thrived in the family she and Lawrence created. 

Joan was an active member of society in Troy, N.Y. She served in the Junior League of Troy, the Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, Unity House and the Van Rensselaer Garden Club among many other service organizations. Joan was a founding member of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill, N.Y. 

Joan was an avid traveler. She visited every continent on the planet and loved seeing the world. It was never enough for Joan to travel to a distant country. She needed to study the culture, geography and language of the people she would visit. And, of course, she needed to bargain with the merchants. Joan loved to shop and she bargained…with everyone. 

In her middle years she raised money for Samaritan Hospital and LaSalle Institute by organizing trips to Ireland and Italy with a number of local residents. Her trips were always overbooked and her travelers always satisfied in the knowledge that she was taking care of them. 

Joan and Larry loved to throw a party. There isn’t enough room in this obituary to list the number of themed parties they threw for all of their friends through the years. If you were one of their friends, you couldn’t  wait for the next costume party or holiday celebration. Joan was a combination of a designer and a party planner from her early years. And the parties she had all had a purpose…to give her friends a sense that they were special and that they were loved. 
 
While her children were growing up, Joan was a golfer, a skier and had a love of the arts. She gave her children opportunities to learn multiple sports and pursue education at the highest level. 

She became a grandparent to Nolan (Porcelli) and Hannah (Porcelli) at the turn of the century and focused her attention on her grandchildren, the loves of her life. In her older years nothing pleased her more than spending time with them and giving to them graciously. 

After her husband (Lawrence) passed in 2003 she dedicated herself to her family; to spending her time doting on them, praying for them and offering them her support.

Among her immediate family she is survived by her son, Stephen (Tara) Porcelli; her daughter, Lisa (Keith); Shorts and her grandchildren, Hannah G. Porcelli and Nolan R. Porcelli. She also leaves behind her niece, Diane Parks (Stephen), her nephew, Brendan Parks and her cousin, Donald Folts (Dede).
 
Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 4-7 PM. 

Funeral service will be held Friday at 9:30AM at St. Jude the Apostle Church Wynantskill where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Anthony Ligato, Pastor, officiating. Face covering and social distancing are required inside during visitation and services.

Interment will be in  St. Mary's Cemetery Troy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a contribution to the Lawrence E. Porcelli Scholarship Fund at LaSalle Institute in Troy, N.Y., Samaritan Hospital or Unity House in Joan’s name.  

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