Joan Andrejko

Latham NY It is with great sadness that we write of the death of our beloved mother, Joan (Kopcza) Andrejko. Joan was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband and soulmate, Robert Stephen Andrejko. Joan adored her late mother and father, Olga Sklaryk Kopcza and John Kopcza, and her late sister, Doris Karafanda. She is survived by her children, Andy and Tracey, Andy’s wife, Pam, and her grandchildren, Kelly, Kristin, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Rebecca. Joan loved nothing more than hearing about her grandchildren’s lives, visiting them, and eating some delicious food together. A graduate of Cohoes High School and Albany State, Joan taught Social Studies at Cohoes Middle School for over 25 years. She was always fair, firm, fully prepared, and emphasized fun in learning. As an educator, her passion and legacy were recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. Joan was a Teacher of the Year of Cohoes, a recipient of the Capital District Social Studies Neidelberger Award, New York State Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and a New York State Teacher of the Year Finalist. She received acknowledgment from NASA for her application to the Teacher in Space Program. Joan spent one summer in Lithuania mentoring teachers about her self-developed techniques of hands-on education. Joan’s teaching legacy touched the National Social Studies Organization, Capital District Council for Social Studies, National Geographic Society, and NYS Department of Education throughout her career and after retirement. Within her cherished City of Cohoes, Joan served on the Cohoes Library Board of Directors, the Character Ed Board, and the CHS Alumni board. Joan volunteered with the Cohoes Senior Center, the Cohoes Music Hall, the Capital Reparatory Theatre, Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, and the City of Albany at many Tulip Queen receptions and Times Union Arena sporting events. Joan spent her free time gardening in her yard and traveling with her husband to over 30 countries to experience as much of the world as possible. She brought back stories and mementos from her travels to her classroom to instill a love of geography, travel, and tolerance of all peoples and cultures within her students. Joan’s life was blessed by her caregivers, Team Joan (Lisa, Lori, Meghan, and more), for making her comfortable, happy, and safe in her home. Mom was proud to be a Ukrainian American and Greek Catholic who had great faith and adoration of the Blessed Mary. A graveside service will be held on Friday September 10, at 4pm in the St. Peter and Paul’s Ukrainian Cemetery, Middletown Road, Waterford. Friends are invited to join the Andrejko family at the cemetery to celebrate Joan’s life and legacy. There will be no visiting hours or services held at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy made be made at marrafuneralhome.com,

Joan Andrejko

September 7, 2021