Joan B Kornspan
Funeral Service: July 30, 2026 12:00 PM
Funeral Home: Gutterman’s Woodbury Chapel
8000 Jericho Turnpike,
Woodbury, NY 11797
Notes:
Following the chapel service the burial will take place at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon, NY
Joan Kornspan Obituary
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Joan Beverly Kornspan, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who passed away on July 23, 2026, at the age of 93.
To both her family and friends, she was a sweet, gentle, and caring soul whose smile lit up every room she entered and who was loved by so many, even the friends of her family. Joan had a gentle spirit and an endless capacity to nurture others, setting the bar for unconditional love, patience, and guidance with her children and grandchildren. Everyone could count on her for encouragement and wisdom.
Joan was born in Brooklyn, New York, where she grew up surrounded by many relatives, something she always looked back on with great fondness. She was an intellectual, a top student, and a master of the English language, due in part to her love of reading and her habit of looking up every word she didn’t know. She set academic records on standardized vocabulary tests in high school and went on to excel at Brooklyn College before earning her master’s degree in children’s education from C.W. Post College.
Joan was an educator who dedicated her career to children, first teaching grade school and later spending many years in pre-K education. She didn’t just watch children or simply teach them, she held court with them, inspiring a love of learning, reading, and music in a fun and nurturing environment. She even inspired family members and friends to become educators themselves.
She was known for her warmth, inner strength, and generous spirit. Whether sharing a family meal, celebrating holidays, or simply spending time together, she made ordinary moments feel special. Nothing brought Joan greater joy than watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow and celebrating each of their accomplishments.
She is survived by her son, Michael; her grandchildren, Lexi, Meryl, and David; and her great-grandchildren, Lilah, Michelle, Danielle, and Bennett. She was predeceased by her cherished daughter, Lisa, and by her beloved husband, Marvin, with whom she shared 59 wonderful years of partnership in a truly loving marriage.
Although our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the many years we shared with her, for the example of love and compassion she set, and for a life so well lived. We are especially grateful that she was able to celebrate her granddaughter Lexi’s wedding, a joyful milestone she cherished. Her memory is a blessing and will remain with us always.
Memorial services will be held at Gutterman’s Funeral Home, 8000 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, New York, at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The burial service will immediately follow at Beth Moses Cemetery, 1500 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, New York.