Joan Katherine Longe

Joan Katherine Longe passed away on March 8, 2023 under the compassionate care of hospice.  Born to parents Alfred Longe and Dorothy Ann Fremeau on January 29, 1934, Joan was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont.  She spent summers with her multigenerational family on the shores of Mallets Bay, Vermont.  Growing up, Joan was remembered as an outgoing and charming child, who used her musical gifts to sing and play multiple instruments, including piano, trumpet, and french horn.  A newspaper clipping from Joan’s 5th birthday, reported that little Joanie “entertained her guests by singing and dancing”.  As she grew into adulthood, Joan continued to impress with her beautiful, angelic voice, frequently belting out tunes from her favorite singers, Tony Bennett and Barbara Streisand.

Joan was a colorful and free-spirited woman, whose infectious personality warmed the hearts of  friends and strangers alike.  She embraced change, and in fact changed her name a few times throughout her life, becoming known as Jake,  and in her later years, Skye.   Joan met and married her husband of 38 years, Jim Foltz, in 1953.   They planted family roots in several places throughout their married life, including Massachusetts, Kansas, and Vermont.  Joan had a storied career, that included being fashion coordinator for several ladies’ clothing boutiques, costume coordinator for the Walt Disney Company, and owner of a Vermont bed and breakfast called “The Spirited Dove”.  Of all her life achievements, Joan was most proud of being a mother to her five children; Chris, David, Bob, Jeff, and Amy; grandmother to her 11 grandchildren; Nathan, Josh, Scott, Christian, Sam, Alex, Katie, Jake, Patrick, David, and Aspen; and great-grandmother to her 3 great-grandchildren; Joshua Jr, Jaime, and Bennett.,  Known to all of her grandchildren as simply “Granny Jake”, she was a warm and caring presence in their lives. 

Joan will be remembered for many qualities that she so generously shared with others.  She was a highly spiritual person, whose Christian faith was her North Star.  An eternal optimist, Joan was a light to others.  In fact, one of her favorite hobbies, was transforming ordinary objects- an old washboard, a piece of driftwood or watering can, into unique lamps.  She literally and figuratively would “light up a room”.  Joan will be missed dearly by family and friends, and has left an imprint on the hearts and lives of many.

 Joan (aka Jake, aka Skye) is survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 3 great- grandchildren, and 3 siblings; Jeannie Cross Middleton, John Fischer, and Tom Fischer.  She is pre-deceased by husband of 38 years, Jim Foltz, son Bob Foltz, and brother George Fischer.  She will be honored by family and friends in an intimate Celebration of Life gathering in May. 

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