Joan M. Corde, active mother, gardener
Joan Marie Corde, a four-year resident of Ridgefield who had been active in community groups, died on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004, at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City. She was 67 years old and the wife of George E. Corde.
Mrs. Corde was born in New York City on Aug. 21, 1936, a daughter of Angelo and Ellen Hartney Proscia of Sunrise, Fla. She grew up in New York City and as a young teenager, moved to Belle Harbor, Queens. A few years after her marriage in 1956, she and her husband moved to North Bellmore, Long Island. In 1979, the Cordes moved to Chappaqua, N.Y., where Mrs. Corde worked in a women’s boutique.
Mrs. Corde “enjoyed providing for and being with her family, which was always the focal point of her life,” Mr. Corde said. When her children were growing up, “she was enormously active with children.” She had been involved in church, PTA, sports, and other youth programs both on Long Island and in Chappaqua. “Between her five children, working in town, and her involvement in the community, Joan seemed to know everyone, and everyone knew her.”
Mr. and Mrs. Corde moved to Ridgefield in 2000.
Mrs. Corde was an accomplished flower gardener and horticulturist. She took great joy in landscaping her summer home in Stone Harbor, N.J.
Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Corde is survived by four sons, George Corde and his wife Meg of North Salem, N.Y., Richard Corde of South Salem, N.Y., Daniel Corde and his wife Zoraya of Westport, and Gary Corde and Malia of Asbury, N.J.; a daughter, Angela Chittenden and her husband Kevin of Ridgefield; a sister, Annette Martin of Oakdale, N.Y.; and 17 grandchildren, including Tyler, Matthew, Daniel and Kelly Chittenden of Ridgefield.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday in St. Mary’s Church. Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.