Joan Dagon Diehl – (91) – of Hornell, died early Saturday morning (October 9, 2021)  following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on September 15, 1930, she was the daughter of James & Nelle (Walsh) Dagon who died in 1947 & 1983 respectively.

Joan was a graduate of St. Ann’s School (class of 1944) and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1948).  In 1951 she graduated from the St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.   She later attended the University of Rochester and also Geneseo State College.

She was employed as a Registered Nurse for several years at the former Mt. Morris T.B. Hospital in Mt. Morris, NY where she and her husband resided before moving to Hornell in 1958.  She worked for many years at St. James Mercy Hospital serving in several capacities as a registered nurse, retiring in 1992.  She was also an instructor at the St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing for several years.

Joan was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she served as member of the Resurrection Choir.  She was also a member of the Alumni Associations of St. Ann’s School, Hornell High School and the St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.  She was a member of RSVP, volunteering at various times at the Hornell Senior Center, Steuben County Public Health Nursing Service, the Hornell Public Library where she served as a board member, and the Pro-Action Meals on Wheels Program.

She was married on October 1, 1955 in St. Ann’s Church to Kenneth R. Diehl who died September 11, 2012.  She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Jim Dagon (died 1983) and John McRoberts (died 2006); 1 sister, Lucy Ellen Livingston (died 2008).

Surviving are 2 sons, Kenneth (Peggy) Diehl of Pittsford and Kevin (Christine) Diehl of Hornell; 2 daughters, Elizabeth (Jeff) Argentieri of Groveland and Gretchen (Pat) Baia of Amsterdam, NY; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

There will be no calling hours.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM  at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Joan’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to either the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Dr., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Public Library, 64 Genesee St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843.