E. Joan Mastrianni Doyle

ALBANY – E. Joan Mastrianni Doyle (nee Gleason) of Albany, died peacefully on November 24, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.  She was 92. Joan was born in Troy, NY to the late Agnes (Covatta) and Michael Gleason. She was their second daughter and was predeceased by her dear sister Marie Keenan. Joan was educated at St. Patrick’s School, Catholic Central High School and St. Peters Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her RN degree.

Joan enjoyed her work as a nurse at St. Peters where she met her husband Dr. Saverio (Sam) Mastrianni. Joan and Sam were married in 1952 and settled in their colonial home on Lenox Avenue in Albany. Joan and Sam welcomed nine children- Theresa Mastrianni of Pelham Manor, NY, Mary (Tom) Cullinan of Slingerlands, NY and Naples, Fl, Joan (Dan) Hopkins of Syracuse, NY and The Villages, Fl, Michael (Stephanie) Mastrianni of Wellesley, Ma, the late Saverio (Sammy) Mastrianni, Jr., Paul Mastrianni of Clifton Park, NY, John (Mary Beth) Mastrianni of Slingerlands, NY and Naples, Fl, Jerome (Linda) Mastrianni of Wilton, NY, and Mark (Laura) Mastrianni of Natick and Falmouth, Ma.

The Mastrianni family had a wonderful life, and the Lenox Avenue home was a welcoming place for family and friends. The family enjoyed nightly dinners in the dining room where Joan made delicious meals.  The highlight of each summer was a two-week trip to Cape Cod which instilled the love of the ocean. Sundays were spent going to Mass and visiting grandparents and family in  Mechanicville and Troy.

The Mastrianni family suffered the devasting loss of Sammy at age 14 in November 1972.  The entire family and friends were heartbroken; the saddest were Joan and Sam. Two months later in January of 1973, Sam suddenly passed away and one week later, Sam’s father and the children’s grandfather died. The sense of loss for the family was very deep, but they were supported by wonderful family and great friends.  Joan was a stellar example to her children as she returned to work fulltime as a Nurse.   She learned to juggle home and work.  She was a masterful delegator, and everyone in the family were given job responsibilities at home and at school and expected to help out at home and do well at school. Joan became an active member of the Parish Council, a Lector and a Eucharist Minister.

Four years after Sam passed, Joan was introduced to Dr. Joseph Doyle by good friends. They met, fell in love and were married in December 1976. Joe moved into the Lenox Avenue home which they remodeled to make it their own.  They enjoyed extensive international and domestic travel, entertaining at home, going to the theatre and opera and cross-country skiing. Joan was able to focus on her interests. She served as president of The Faculty Wives at AMC and the Garden Study Club. She was a longtime member of the Ladies of Charity and of the Fort Orange Club where she loved hosting family and friends at the annual Holiday Party. 

Joan and Joe had a loving marriage of over 31 years until his death in 2007.The Lenox Avenue home became too big and too lonely for Joan.  She never wanted to relinquish her independence and her memories, but her children urged her to give up her home and to move to independent living at Avila.  Once at Avila, Joan enjoyed her life with old and new friends, and activities. She was a Proud Democrat and a supporter of Women’s rights.

As Joan’s health declined with the onset of A Fib, she suffered a fall which caused a debilitating stroke resulting in paralysis to her left side. She received wonderful care at St. Peters Nursing home and excellent care at the Beverwyck for the past four years.  Joan was cared for by Deb Lucas who not only became a friend, but became part of the family.  Joan was visited by family members on a daily basis. A special thanks to her aide Deb Lucas and her daughter in law Linda for therapy visits. She was also royally treated by the Staff at the Beverwyck, Dr Mary Ellen Drislane and the wonderful nurses and aides, social workers and chaplain from the Beverwyck and Hospice.

Joan’s legacy is carried on through her grandchildren: Maggie (Alex) Ostrowski, Tom Cullinan, Moira (Wes) Salomon, Lauren Joan (Terry) Mc Fadden, Tom (Mikayla) Hopkins, Luke (Liz) Mastrianni, James Mastrianni, Alan, Saverio, Matthew, Jack, Alyssa, Nicholas, Zachary and Madeline Joan Mastrianni. Her sweetest loves were her great grandchildren: Isabel, James and Keely Ostrowski, Oliver and Daniel Saloman, and Elijah Mc Fadden.  She will also be remembered by Joe’s children, Michael and Shelagh Doyle, his grandchildren, Shelby and Joe Doyle, as well as Paul’s former wife Terry Mastrianni and Paul’s stepdaughters Johana Dugan and Shawna Arine and their families.

Joan was loved and supported by her late in laws: Dr. Benedict and Betty, Jerome and Jean, Frank and Donna, and Mickey Mastrianni and her sister Marie and Tom Keenan. She leaves many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m., and from there to The Parish of Mater Christi, Hurst Ave. & Hopewell St., Albany, at 10:00 a.m.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.  Flowers are gratefully declined, memorials in Joan’s name may be sent to Catholic Charities, Albany Medical College (IMO Joseph Doyle) or the charity of your choice. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Joan's resting place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, New York (zip code Albany, NY 12205).