Obituary: Joan B. (Kapitzke) Dyer, 91, of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From Biega Funeral Home) Joan B. (Kapitzke) Dyer, beloved wife of LeRoy E. Dyer of 61 years, passed away on Wednesday January 26, 2022 peacefully at home. Joan was born in Meriden, CT on March 20, 1930, the daughter of Ralph I. and Irene (Vaughn) Kapitzke.

She has been a resident of Middletown since 1970.

Joan was educated in the Meriden School system and graduated with honors from Meriden High School in 1947.

During these formative years, her outgoing, vivacious personality led her to be involved in a variety of activities including plays, public speaking, poetry club, and chorus. It was said of her in her yearbook that “Joan has a way of making her way straight into your heart."

If you ever see Joan when she hasn’t a cute answer or a sweet “hi,” something’s really wrong. In the popularity poll, Joan rates among the highest.”

For all who knew her, that early description was apropos. She was a delight with her upbeat attitude and positive outlook on life.

She loved engaging people in conversation and she always had a quip or remark that would result in gales of laughter.

Joan worked for a short time as a dental assistant to Dr.’s Kaller and Leades in Meriden before deciding to become a teacher. She graduated from Central Connecticut State College with honors, and involved herself in a myriad of activities and her flair for the dramatic led to the lead in the senior class play. Joan’s natural beauty led to appearances in fashion shows and modeling for local merchants during her college years.

She began her teaching career at Jonathan Trumbull Elementary School in Meriden, was selected and transferred to a brand-new Nathan Hale Elementary as a master teacher, training future teachers and teaching 4th grade. She finished her Meriden career at John Barry Elementary School. After her marriage in 1958, she and her husband Lee both taught at Middlefield Memorial School.

After regionalization with Durham, Joan taught remedial reading on a part time basis to youngsters at John Lyman School and the old Center School in Middlefield. She somehow juggled her part time schedule and raised three children during this time. Joan was an exceptional teacher, one who could relate to children so that they were challenged in a positive way.

She made learning fun with games, stories, incentives and all methods kids could enjoy. She instituted a very successful program called Electronic Bookshelf at John Lyman. Her expertise in dealing with children who were having difficulties learning to read found those children and parents still praising her skills long after her retirement in 1994.

Joan was active in her church, Saint Pius X, and served a term as President of the church council as well as teaching in the CCD program. She was involved in the Xavier Home School Association during the years her boys attended Xavier, and volunteered her time to a number of charitable organizations, canvassing for the Heart Association, Cancer, American Lung Association, Diabetes and others.

In 2014, Joan wrote a book, “Thou Shall Not…” containing humorous episodes of Catholic School in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Joan enjoyed using the computer and helping her older son, Lee, with his business by assisting with bookkeeping. Naturally, her greatest joy in life was her family. The family trips together, the holidays, and special occasions brought immense pleasure to her. She adored her two grandchildren, Oliver and Owen.

She cherished hearing from them and the stories about them. She detailed these anecdotes in her diary which she faithfully kept for years. She had a very special relationship with her daughter, Sherri, talking on the phone almost every day, sharing stories, laughs and concerns. She had so many friends and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her sons, LeRoy “Lee” of Middletown and his girlfriend Katherine Tederous of Rocky Hill; Thomas and his partner, Diana Payne of Middletown; and daughter, Sharon, husband, Eric, and grandsons, Oliver and Owen of Slingerlands, NY.

A funeral liturgy will be held Tuesday February 1, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Saint Pius X Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Friends may call at Biega Funeral home 3 Silver Street, Middletown on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Pius X Church or the American Cancer Society. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.