Obituary for Joan Hogan

Joan Marie Hogan devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and faithful Catholic entered eternal rest at the age of 96 on Monday, January 26, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in 1929 in Hudson Falls, New York, Joan was the daughter of the late Matthew and Winnifred Burke and grew up as one of six children in a close-knit family. She graduated from Hudson Falls High School and later married her high school sweetheart, James Hogan, her beloved husband of 72 years.

Joan and Jim built their first home in Hudson Falls, where they began raising their family. They later moved to Gainesville, Florida, where their family continued to grow, and eventually settled in Auburn, New York. Together, they shared a life rooted in faith, commitment, and partnership, raising 12 children who were always the center of Joan’s world. She was a strong, steady and faithful a woman who never waivered in her role as a mother.

Before marriage, Joan worked in the business office at the telephone company, a job she fondly recalled for the joy and fulfillment it brought her. After marriage, Joan stayed home raising her large family where her example of strength, independence, and fearlessness taught lessons that cannot be found in books. Later, Joan embraced a new chapter, joining Cayuga Community College, where she worked and pursued business studies reflecting her lifelong love of learning. Joan then worked for her beloved nephew, Dr. Joe McCaffery, remaining a deeply valued and much-loved member of his practice until her retirement at age 70. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, trust, and love.

In retirement, Joan and Jim purchased an RV and traveled extensively, visiting numerous national parks across the country. Joan also devoted many years to volunteering through church, lovingly making costumes for children in the Christmas pageant and knitting hats for hundreds of newborns—quiet acts of service that reflected her generous heart.

Her legacy lives on through her children, Kevin (Terri), Matt (Debbie), Dan (Vicki), L.P. (Terry), Tom (Paula), Mary (Mark) Driscoll, Ruth Groten, John (Sue), Charlie (Kim), Bob (Dawn), Joanie (Tim) O’Toole, son-in-law Brian Miller, 43 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren all of whom she cherished and adored. Joan is also survived by dozens of beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Joan was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Ann Miller; her grandson, Jimmy Groten; and her granddaughter, Erica Hogan. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Bernard Burke, William (Margaret) Burke, Eileen Stark, Barbara (Phil) Allen, and Geraldine Roods as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law: Dalton Hogan (Marie), Cay Delaney (Charlie), Christian McCaffrey (Joe), Jean Ryan (Charlie), Frank Hogan (Ruth), Jack Hogan (Jeanne), Richard Hogan (Betty), Leonard Hogan (Darlene), Pat Hogan (Cathy), Bob Hogan (Colleen), Roger Hogan (Sookie), and Judy Hogan; and her nephew, Steve Stark.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that her love endures in every shared laugh, cherished story, and act of kindness done in her memory.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026 in St. Alphonsus Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry, 90 Melrose St., Auburn, NY 13021 or Matthew House, 43 Metcalf Dr., Auburn, NY 13021 for her devotion to feeding the poor or Matthew House for care of the sick and dying.

Please visit https://farrellsfuneralserviceinc.com/