Joan M. Covert

Our beloved mother, Joan M. Covert, passed away on November 22, 2025 at Mercy House after a long and painful illness.  She was born in 1932 to John and Ilene Vaseleck and lived most of her life in Kirkwood.  She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 67 years Edward F. Covert, son Edward M. Covert, sister Kay Milligan, brothers Jack and Bill Vaseleck and best friend Marion Jenkins.  
Joan is survived by daughters Gayle (Marchie) Diffendorf, Theresa (Jim) Guinan, Phyllis (Mike) Thompson, grandchildren Kelley Diffendorf, Jim (Michele) Guinan, Karen Torres, Dan (Ling) Guinan, Scott Thompson, and Andy Thompson.  Great grandchildren Drew, Jack, Sydnie, and Kyle, sister-in-law Bobbi Vaseleck, brothers Jim (Gretchen), Michael and Patrick and close friends Joanne Blaisure, Debbie Harendza, and Elaine Florance. 
Joan was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Kirkwood and was employed at Singer-Link for many years.  She was an avid crocheter and for many years she would create one of a kind Christmas ornaments, keeping them secret until the Big Reveal when we all gathered at her house.  She also crocheted each daughter a beautiful tablecloth which are truly treasured.  Joan loved flowers and watching the birds, but most of all she loved her family.  Nothing made her happier than when we were all together.  She loved that her grandchildren affectionately called her Maggie.  She was selfless, loving, faith-filled (a little stubborn), and the Rock of our family.  We will dearly miss her every day. 
The family would like to thank treasured neighbors Kurt and Stephanie Frisbie and Craig Clark who always looked out for our mom, and the staff at Mercy House, especially Kristen, who made sure mom was comfortable and cared for in her last days. 
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Kirkwood on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11am. The family will receive friends from 10am until the service begins.   
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 N. McKinley Ave, Endicott, NY 13760 or St. Mary’s Church in Kirkwood, 975 US Route 11, Kirkwood, NY 13795.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan M. Covert, please visit our floral store.