Joan Patricia Savage, an advertising sales representative of the weekly print Peekskill Herald and other publications, died at her home in Peekskill on April 28. She was 81 years old. Born in Port Chester, NY on March 19, 1942 to Michael and Mary Sheahan, she leaves a legacy of laughter and warmth that will be difficult to match.

As a ‘Friend of Bill’, her dedication and commitment to Alcoholic Anonymous offered her the opportunity to help hundreds of people achieve sobriety as she did for more than 40 years. Her zest for life and sense of humor were cherished by family, co-workers and friends as was the signature flower in her hair, her colorful nails and her jewelry that blinged along with her sparkling blue eyes.

After many years of waitressing at both the Washington Arms in Mamaroneck and the former Hugo’s Restaurant in Peekskill, she became an advertising sales representative with the Herald in 1995. When the Herald closed in 2000 she worked for Women’s News.

A frequent traveler, Joan attended concerts, Broadway shows, parades and family celebrations with equal enthusiasm.

She is survived by her daughter Sherry Flisser of Citra FL,  her son and caregiver, Frank Savage of Peekskill, her companion of many years, Peter O’Connor of Peekskill and sister Jane Sheahan McLaughlin of Charleston, SC. A grandmother to Amanda Martin and great grandmother to Adrian, Logan and Faith, she was an aunt to Deborah Duffy of Hopewell Junction, NY, Jacqueline Sheahan of Houston Tx., Margaret Hunt of Wappingers Falls, NY, and Michael McLaughlin of San Francisco, CA.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Peter Savage, grandson Eric Kirsten, brother Donald Sheahan and sister Margaret Moore.

Friends may attend the wake on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home at 414 Washington St, Peekskill NY from 2 – 4p.m. and 6 – 8p.m.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption, 131 Union Avenue, Peekskill.

In lieu of flowers, friends can donate to: Dignity Moves, attention Michael McLaughlin, 4274-C, 23 Road Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. Dignity Moves is a nonprofit organization dedicated to end unsheltered homelessness in communities by building interim supportive housing as a rapid cost-effective, and thus scalable solution.