Born Feb. 21, 1939, in Syracuse, a daughter of the late George Doss and Adelaide Yeager (George) Hodges. She was an alumni of Panama Central School.

Joan was employed as a nurses aid at WCA, Lutheran Home and Heritage Village. For the past 30 years, she was self-employed making dolls, operating Doss Dolls.

She was a lifetime member of the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, attended South Stockton Wayside Chapel and enjoyed camping, singing with her husband, wintering in Florida and most of all spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren.

Beloved wife of 64 years to John A. Risley, Sr., whom she married April 12, 1956; mother of Gary (Nancy) and Mark (Linda) all of Sinclairville, John (late Patty) Risley, Jr. of Gerry, Sally (Rich)Zahm of Cherry Creek and the late Wendy Jo Risley; grandmother of Christopher, Ashley (fiance, Corry Kaltenbach), Luke, Zachary (Alicia), Johnny III (Tiffany Fehlman), Joshua, Cody (fiance, Jennifer Griffith) Risley, Shane (Crystal Kluth), Dustin (Mary) Zahm, Kayla (Mike) Bidney and the late, Shannon, Michelle and Danielle Risley; great-grandmother of 21; sister of, Ramon Doss of Texas, Deborah Fulks of Ohio, and Kathyrn Simmons of South Carolina.  She is also survived by nieces and nephews, including Stacey Fox, who was so special to her.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by sisters, Sandra Tipton, Carol Bergman-Munson and brothers Thomas Hodges and Charles Klinke.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Burial in Gerry Cemetery.

Memorials to Gerry Volunteer Fire Department, Gerry, NY 14740 or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.

Arrangements by Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville.

*Updated errors and omissions.