Joan M. Nachtman (Banks) Service Information

Joan Marie Nachtman (Banks), aged 82, from Hauppauge, Long Island, passed away peacefully holding her husband’s hand and surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 13^th, 2024. 

Joan was born on June 7^th, 1942, in Queens, NY.  She was the daughter of John and Lillian (Hickey) Banks and was raised in Bayville, NY.

In 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Nachtman and from there they began their family legacy. 

Joan dedicated her life to caring not only for her family but the lives of many others.  Before the birth of her first child, she began her education towards nursing at St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing.   After the birth of her fifth child, Joan returned to school and obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY.  Her studies and unwavering support towards Bob’s doctorate in psychology helped shape her focus towards mental healthcare.  Joan was a pioneer in the profession of mental health nursing whereby she obtained the first issued license as a nurse practitioner in psychiatry for the state of New York.  Over the course of Joan’s career, Joan was honored and recognized by various professional organizations and associations.  Her expertise in the field of mental health was relied upon by doctors, colleagues, and college institutions.  She was seen as an expert, educator, supervisor, and role model to many within her field.    

Joan’s unwavering faith was her foundation.  It was the source of her strength and guided her through times of challenge and joy.  She lived her faith by demonstrating compassion, kindness, and love for others.  Throughout Joan’s life she was an active parishioner, catechism instructor, and member of the women’s bible study group at St. Thomas More Parish of Hauppauge, NY. 

Joan’s favorite day would be spent at the beach.  She was a life-long fan of the Yankees and ‘old blue eyes’, Frank Sinatra.  Flowers and plants flourished with her touch.  Joan was a history buff and traveled the world with Bob, her children, and grandchildren.  She was a champion for her children and a voice for those in need.  Joan loved the holidays and celebrations of any kind.  Her laugh filled the room.  Joan created cherished memories for all. 

Although Joan had many interests, her greatest love was her family. She is dearly loved by her husband, Bob, who was her partner in life for over 63 years.   While she had five children, she loved her children’s spouses as her own.  She continues to be loved by her children John (Kathy), Dan (Marilyn), Barbara (Ricardo (d.)); Jim (Tina), and Jean (Jason).  She was Grandma to 13 grandchildren Kaitlyn (Austin), John Jr. (Hailey), Alexandra, Brian, Juliana (fiancé Brian), Kristen (Leo), Keri, Sarah (fiancé Eric), Katie (Cooper), Robert, Lily, Ada, and Penny. Joan’s family legacy continues as she is also survived by her 6 great-grandchildren Hayes, Anson, Evelyn, Axel, Gloria and Nolan.

Relatives and friends are invited to share condolences on Monday, October 21^st, 2024, at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, PA 18966 from 10:00am until 11:30 am.  Her Funeral Mass to follow at 12:00 PM.   Interment will take place immediately following at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine Cemetery, 654 Ferry Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Joan’s memory to any of the following:

Legacy of Life Foundation, 25 S Main Street, Yardley, PA 19067.  https://www.legacyoflifefoundation.org/give/donate/  

BrightFocus (Alzheimer's)  Foundation, https://donate.brightfocus.org/adr/donate ,  22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871 

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, https://www.ifcj.org/ 

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