Senate Resolution No. 1022

BY: Senator STEC

HONORING Joan Fuller Degener upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the New
York State Office for the Aging in May of 2021

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joan Fuller
Degener upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by
the New York State Office for the Aging in May of 2021; and

WHEREAS, Each May, the New York State Office for the Aging pauses to
acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by older citizens during
National Older Americans Month; and

WHEREAS, Members of older generations have helped build and shape
our Nation to be the greatest in the world; they have defended our
freedoms and values to ensure that those who come after them may have
better lives; nowhere in the Nation is the legacy of their efforts more
visible and more a part of the lives of all citizens than here in the
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener has continually demonstrated extreme
competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in her
unwavering service to her community and, consequently, has been selected
for this most prestigious honor; and

WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener grew up on a dairy farm in the
beautiful valley of Welch Hollow, in Fort Ann, New York, with her
parents, Samuel and Marion (Rathbun) Fuller, two sisters, Jean and
Helen, and one brother, Harold; and

WHEREAS, A 1963 graduate of Fort Ann Central School, Joan Fuller
Degener went on to pursue a teaching degree at Adirondack Community
College and Castleton University before completing her graduate work at
SUNY Plattsburgh; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her studies, Joan Fuller Degener
spent her illustrious 34-year career as an accomplished teacher of
elementary students; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Joan Fuller Degener is very
active in the West Fort Ann United Methodist Church and serves as an
advocate and guardian for two sisters from her childhood who have
disabilities and no family to take care of them; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Joan Fuller Degener is the founding member of the Fort Ann
Historical Society; she helped to research and write, Fort Ann: 300
Years Of History; she was also an active member of the Queen Anne Senior

Citizens, and frequently takes trips with the Traveling Cardinals or The
Old Stone House Library; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary woman volunteers with
programs for preschoolers and leads programs for elementary students at
Fort Ann Central, introducing them to the library; and

WHEREAS, As a volunteer at Haynes House Of Hope in Granville, New
York, a home for hospice patients, Joan Fuller Degener gives patients
much needed emotional and physical support; in addition, she is a
charter member and first president of the West Fort Ann Fire Company
Ladies' Auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Fort Ann, New York, Joan Fuller
Degener continues to reside in the home she built with her husband which
is nestled in the woods, surrounded by beauty and wildlife; and

WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener is the proud mother of two children,
Michelle and David, and the loving grandmother of her granddaughter,
Shaye; and

WHEREAS, For many years, Joan Fuller Degener was an assistant leader
for Girl Scout Troop 3267, the highlight of which was guiding her
granddaughter to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the first girl in Fort
Ann to earn this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Joan Fuller Degener has
displayed throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener has enriched the lives of her family,
friends and colleagues through her love and respect for others, and
through the wisdom which comes from many years of living life to the
fullest; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joan Fuller Degener upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joan Fuller Degener.