Joan Alvarez

Joan Alvarez, formerly of Douglaston, beloved wife of the late Ernie, mother of E. Patrick (Stasia), Christopher (Laura) and Joanie (Robert) Mazzella, and grandmother of Shannon and Jessica Alvarez, Christina Alvarez, and Matthew and Sophia Mazzella. Joan is also survived by her sister Alice (Tom) Nixon and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings Mary, Frank, Anne and Sheila.

A proud graduate of Our Lady of Wisdom Academy and Grace Secretarial Institute, Joan began her career at Ted Bates Advertising Agency. On October 6th, 1957 she met Ernie at a dance at Cresthaven.They enjoyed 59 years of marriage until Ernie's passing in August 2019. Ernie's engineering career took him to many countries, and the family relocated twice, to Barcelona, Spain and New Orleans, Louisiana before settling in Douglaston for over 50 years.

In October 1985, she began a 28 year career at The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point - a job which afforded her the opportunity to attend daily mass at Mariners Chapel.

Visitation to be held at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass of a Christian burial at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church in Sea Cliff on December 3, 2025 at 10am with burial to follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.