Joan Marie Ries, 67, of New Port Richey, FL and Orchard Park, NY passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loving family on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital after a sudden stroke.
She was born in Lackawanna, NY on Easter Sunday April 1, 1956 a daughter of the late Clayton and Rita Schunk. She grew up in Boston Hills, NY while working alongside her mother to take care of her siblings and complete chores as well as cook for the family, and she did this with so much love. She was the peacemaker of the family. One night at 22 years old when she was out with her girlfriends she spotted her soulmate, David, and they married the next fall. They were married for a wonderful 45 years.
Joan was passionate about cooking and studied cooking via BOCES through Orchard Park High School. She and her husband both shared a dream to own a restaurant, and they owned and operated the Woodlawn Diner in Blasdell, NY for 32 years. She gave the warmest, full-hearted welcome to anyone who entered the diner. For years before they sold the diner they co-hosted along with their daughter the popular Poetry and Dinner Night Reading Series.
Joan was known for her sweet and generous nature, concern for others, glowing smile, and warm heart. She treated each and every person she met with genuine, tender kindness. She shined so brightly and appreciated the simple pleasures in life. She was extremely proud and supportive of her two children. She enjoyed swimming, being a snowbird and spending summers camping in Akron, NY, going to parks with her husband, and spending time with family and friends. She was a happy camper during retirement.
She was a woman filled with faith and an active parishioner of St. James the Apostle in New Port Richey.
Joan will be dearly missed by her devoted husband David Ries; children Brian Ries (April) and Sara Ries Dziekonski (Thaddeus); Joan’s four grandchildren, Lucas, Genevieve, Aubrey Mae, and Thadeus; as well as her 8 siblings Marie (Tom) Kreuder, Clayton Schunk, Ron (Dona) Schunk, Linda Mex, Francis (Mary Beth) Schunk, Rita Weryha, Jane (Randy) Sparrow, Cheryl (Robert) Dunmire; many nieces and nephews; and all of her extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 10:30 to 12:00 pm at the Thomas B Dobies Funeral Home, located at 6616 Congress St., New Port Richey, FL 34653. The funeral service will begin with praying the rosary at 12:30 pm at St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Church (8400 Monarch Dr, Port Richey, FL 34668) and will be followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm.
Additionally, a funeral service will be held in her hometown at 10:00 am on May 26, 2023 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 3148 Abbott Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
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Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes - Congress
St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Church
Daniel Winfield
May 1, 2023, 10:05 pm
David, my heart goes out to you and your family. I was devastated when I lost my dear wife as I am sure you are. Joan was a beautiful woman and I will pray for the repose of her soul. You and you family are in my prayers.
Brother Knight Dan Winfield
Amy Rogers
May 4, 2023, 6:58 pm
Dave, Sara/Thad, and Brian so sorry for your loss! But happy for your/our gain. Joan was an incredible woman. Anyone who known her is at a loss now. I will carry memories of her smile ❤️🩹
Mary Herbst
May 4, 2023, 7:02 pm
Dear Sara,
Sending you heartfelt condolences in the passing of your mother, Joan.
Kathy Mulhollan
May 5, 2023, 12:59 am
Dave,Brian,Sarah,& familie,
My heart is broken..Joan was a loving,caring,beautiful friend who I will miss.
I wish there was something I could say, or do to make the pain less ..I will see everyone at the service in May..God give you his Grace to go on without her. She was loved.
Vickie Lamparski
May 5, 2023, 7:59 pm
Dear Dave & family,
My heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
Your obituary says it all. Joan was one of the sweetest, kindest women I have ever met. Always something nice to say. And that SMILE! It warmed your heart. She is already truly missed.
Much love and many prayers for you all.
Georgiana
May 5, 2023, 9:03 pm
She really was a great friend. I loved going to the recreation to swim. Words can’t say about her wonderful personality. I loved her very much
Alexandra Geiger
May 6, 2023, 4:25 pm
To David, Sara, Brian, Thad and all who loved Joan,
Joan was sweet, warm, generous and inclusive to me.. During the few years that I was lucky enough to know her, I felt blessed by her kindness. She cooked delicious comfort food and shared it with love! I will miss seeing her in Gulfport where she came every Wednesday with Dave to babysit her grandson Teddy. Sending much love and sympathy to Joan’s family during this sad time of loss.
Alexandra
Marianne Ríes Lilly
May 6, 2023, 9:19 pm
My heart goes out to everyone who knew Joan, she is going to be missed, mostly by my brother David, who loves her tenderly. Joan was such an important part of all of our lives. I know she will welcome us with open arms when we see her again in heaven.
Gary Phillips and Lois Ries Phillips
May 8, 2023, 1:38 am
Mom and I are extending our heartfelt sympathy to David and family.
Sharon Olson
May 8, 2023, 3:12 pm
Dave, Brian, Sara and siblings I was both extremely saddened and shocked to hear today of Joan’s passing she and I met back in Kindergarten in OP and stayed friends there after. Although we did not see each other much over the years she was always a special person to me.
Both Jeff and I send you all prayers for strength as you mourn the loss of Joan she had an amazing spirit.
Kate Willoughby
May 8, 2023, 10:59 pm
Dear Sara and family, we are thinking of you and sending love as you find your way through this difficult time. May your Mom’s memory be a blessing to all.
Karen Phillips
May 9, 2023, 12:34 am
My heart goes out to David and ALL family members. I am so glad and honored to have met & known Joan, a beautiful heart & soul. May she live on happily with God & watch over us all. She will always be in my thoughts.
Rita Schunk Weryha
May 12, 2023, 3:25 am
Joan loved each of us more deeply than imagined. If Joan knew you be comforted that you were in her prayers.
I am comforted that Joan is with the many who loved her deeply but just wish Joan could had pulled thru this stroke.
Certainly miss your calls…
Linda Schunk Mex
May 15, 2023, 11:15 am
My dearest Dave, Brian, Sara & Families, my heart breaks for u all. U have lost the most loving, sweetest person ever that can never be replaced. I pray your sweet memories of Joan give u comfort of how blessed we all were to have her this long, although never long enuf.
The family will never be the same, we r broken. I’ve always said how blessed we were to have all of us still here. Hoping we all realize how truly precious our time is for we never know when it will end. Joan always wanted everyone to love & accept each other the way she loved and appreciated every one of us. I truly hope we can follow her example to honor her memory. She would love nothing more.
Hope our sister is flying high with the angels. She deserves the pain free peace she will be blessed with in the arms of our Lord.
Sadly missed
kathy shoemaker
May 18, 2023, 4:36 pm
Dear Sarah,
My sympathy and condolences to all of you. What good times we had at the Woodlawn Diner Poetry Readings and every other time we were there. Your mother helped make it a warm inviting place to be.
Much love to you.