Joan Marie (Gundersen) Podgorsky

Joan Marie (Gundersen) Podgorsky, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, August 25th. Joan was born on January 5, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1949 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. She was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. In 1948, she was selected as one of the twelve finalists in Sammy Kayes nationwide Miss American Coed of 1948 and was saluted on NBCs Chesterfield Supper Club radio broadcast as College Girl of the Week for July 9, 1948. She was selected from 150 entrants across the US. She wrote advertising copy for Dey Bros in Syracuse, NY, before staying home to raise her children. Joan was an avid reader, she loved to cook, and she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends whom she deeply loved. She is survived by her three children: Donald (Kimberly) Jacobson of Madison, James (Ann) Jacobson of Scottsville, NY and Anne Meek of Antioch, California; and three step children: Lisa (Alec) Vaughn of Marcellus, New York, Michael Podgorsky of Cazenovia, NY, and Nadia High of Syracuse, NY, twelve grandchildren, and five great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.. She is preceded in death by her parents Sven and Anna Gundersen; her husband, Michael Podgorsky; step children Stephen Podgorsky and Tanya Shramovich, and son-in-law Christopher Meek. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, September 1st at 1:00 PM at Cornerstone Friends Church in Madison, Ohio. A graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, NY, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 2nd. Because Joan loved reading, contributions may be made to Reading Is Fundamental at RIF.ORG or by phone at 1.888.725.4801. The Behm Family Funeral Home of Madison is serving Joans family at this time. Friends may leave condolences at www.behmfuneral.com