We mourn the loss of Dr. Joan DeAlbuquerque who passed away on September 6, 2021. Dr. DeAlbuquerque served as the National Vice President for Professional Relations from 2007-2011 and is an Honorary Member of the North Central District and National Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. She was the 2016 recipient of the Johnnie Vinson Award and the 2017 Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director Award. Our thoughts are with her family during this time.
Obituary (https://www.lynchandsonsmilford.com/obituaries/Joan-deAlbuquerque?obId=22305189#/obituaryInfo)
“Beloved daughter of Angela DeAlbuquerque and the late Anthony DeAlbuquerque; loving sister of Mary DeAlbuquerque (Chester), Frank DeAlbuquerque, Charles DeAlbuquerque (Shelly), and Edward DeAlbuquerque; dear Aunt of Elizabeth Paulson and Rachel Paulson; and dear life-long friend of Karen Plouffe (Kaminski). She was surrounded by love from her Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, friends and neighbors.
Joan attended Clintondale schools, graduated from Macomb Community College, and received her Bachelor of Music education degree from Michigan State University. She earned a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University, where she studied with John Whitwell. She earned her Doctorate in Wind Conducting at the University of North Texas while studying under Eugene Migliaro Corporon, and graduated with an impressive 4.0 GPA.
Joan was a great and caring musician and conductor, loved by all for her passion for music. She was a teacher, band director, adjudicator, conductor, professor, pianist, singer, flutist, and published author in music textbooks.
Joan was Band Director at Pinckney High School in Michigan and Adams State University in Colorado. She was Associate Director of Bands at California State University, Long Beach. She was also Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa for 9 years.
Joan’s bands performed internationally, including Norway, Spain, Iceland and notable locations throughout the U.S. including Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Joan also was a clinician in Israel, sharing her love of teaching music. An avid MSU Spartan football fan, Joan enjoyed watching the games, cheering on her team with her siblings and nieces through texts and phone calls.
Joan’s Catholic faith was an essential part of her life.”
Thank you so much Allison for such a tribute to my baby sister. It hasn’t been easy these past few weeks with her sudden passing and your kind words bring a warmth to my heart. I can’t imagine how many lives she touched and am so proud of the difference she made for so many people. She was a wonderful sister who I enjoyed being with and watching her grow. I helped bottle feed her and was always the “brother in charge” whenever we left the house. She followed me to Michigan State University, and always with me on my adventures including spending New Year’s with me in Montreal where she leaped high into the air to release the balloons at the stroke of midnight! She loved animals and I got her back stage to see the tigers and elephants when I traveled with The Greatest Show On Earth. She’s on her own adventure now and will always be with us all on ours. Again, thank you so much for your kind words and tribute.
Please encourage everyone to leave their favorite memory of Joan on the Facebook page “Joan DeAlbuquerque memories.” Thank you.