Joan M. Mecklenborg, 74, of Conklin, NY, passed away on April 19, 2025 at home surrounded by family. Joan was born June 22, 1950. She grew up in Johnson City and attended JC High School. She was in the Latin Language program as Richard was in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both shared interest in antiquities. She attended SUNY Oneonta and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Botany. She taught in high school for a year. Then she joined GAF where her father worked. This is when Joan and Richard first met in on a bike club ride of the Southern Tier Bicycle Club. It was 1972. Their paths crossed several times over the next years. Both were using bicycles as major part of their transportation. They started working the bicycle Shop together in 1976. Both worked in evening and on weekend. Joan took over during the day. Often she would ride over to Link where Richard worked to just have lunch with him. This special private time drew them close together. They were firmly committed to become one flesh as Adam spoke in the book of Genesis. So they exchanged vows before Conklin Town Justice Aug 5, 1980. Their faith and commitment grew. So, on Valentines Day 1981 they attended service at First Assembly in Binghamton. Pastor Piedmont had a special time in the service to renew marriage Vows. They walked hand in hand to the front and gazed into each others’ eyes as he spoke the words. They sweetly repeated the vows. The sounds and sights around them faded. The words of the vow flowed from their hearts concluding with, “till death do us part.”
That time has come. The truth in those words spoken 45 years ago and repeated at First Assembly under Divine blessing happened Saturday April 19 at 4:28 PM Her eyes remained open as Richard gazed into them as he did 44 years ago. This was God’s blessing on them for becoming one as our Heavenly Father intends for Jesus and His bride, the saints.
After their marriage, they continued biking and running the shop. A van was purchased to support the business. Shops were opened elsewhere and they began directly importing bicycles. After a few years the burden of the out of town shops led to merging them into one in the town of. Conklin and one in Endicott. This reduced the work load to manageable levels. The manager of Endicott bought the business giving them more time for each other and their special interests. They took more self-directed expeditions most were for three or more weeks at a time. This length was limited by the weight of food and support equipment they had to carry on their backs. Joan took over running the Bike shop in Conklin. She became an extraordinary mechanic and respected for her knowledge of bicycles and accessories for bike tours. Richard continued working at Link Flight Simulation In 1987 they decided to get out of all debt including mortgages because they sensed a change was coming. Link sent Richard to England for months In 1988 to supervise the assembly of the visual part of the Harrier Flight simulator. This opened another chapter in their love story, How to love in the present tense when separated for long periods. Joan sends newspapers and letters every few days. Richard walks and rides while recording on tape what he sees and is doing and sends letters. She sends tapes from a local talk show. Richard calls home every few days.
Near the end of his first five months, she comes for a visit. English travel had very low priced tours of 8 days and 7 nights to Rome. Both had classic education and were interested in the remains of the Roman Empire. They walked the streets and took one side trip to Pompey. The job was completed in April of 1989. Fall of that year they burned the last mortgage. With no debt obligation a free feeling came. They celebrated with a second Grand Canyon trip. In 1999 they returned to the canyon. This time on the northern side of of the Colorado. During this, the Y2K came and went and the world kept turning as usual. During the 90’s their faith grew. This helped get them through the death of parents and other changes in life.
In 2000 Richard becomes President of Candlehouse women’s restoration program. This opened a new chapter in their love story. Joan gave her heart felt support for it. A couple of years later, a serious problem developed there. It was draining him. In midst of it, her heart and spirit knew what to do when he came home one night. At 9:00 PM, Joan hears him on the porch. She opens the door, steps out and embraces him, then whispers in his ear, “You are safe now!”
She became his safe haven, his shipwright, his nourisher and his encourager. Their hearts and souls were so merged that there was never a hint of jealousy. Each supported the other while respecting each other’s endeavors. It was like a dance. Nearly two years ago she caught lime’s disease. Her weight loss was attributed to it. It caused two hospitalizations. During the second one in November, the pancreatic exotopic tumor was discovered. Getting the needed fine needle biopsy was very difficult. It was finally done in February 2024 at Strong Memorial in Rochester. Treatment started in March.
She believed she would be well. Several complications developed during 2024. One was treated at Strong. Richard stayed with her in her hospital room. Love made it a joy. In 2025 the surgeon said the tumor surgery had low probability of success because of insufficient margin. More complications came, but her hope was not dimmed. Then on April 10 local medical care gave up. She went to Rochester Strong by ambulance late that night. After a short night’s rest Richard went to Strong and stayed close with her. The family came together to prepare a special bedroom for her in their home. Hospice from Lourdes provided the equipment. Strong did several procedures to ease her pain. She expressed for her return. On Thursday April 17, her nurse reported she was only awake only in the morning. The decision was made to leave that evening That evening we arrive. Joan is awake and says she can travel by car. Doctor says she can’t. If we want her home, she needs to go in an ambulance. Friday April 18 She gets ready to travel. She puts hiking boots on and dresses with a little help. The doctor comes in for discharge and tells us again she shouldn’t go in a car. She takes hold of the railing on the bed pulls herself up and puts her hiking booted feet on the ßoor and looks straight at the doctor A momentary shock strikes him and he changes. He provides recommendation for care. Joan returns home. The room for her was prepared by family with help from Lourdes Hospice. She is carried up in a wheel chair. Settled in bed with a TV she sends the four family members out for dinner. She is cheerful when they return.
After a good night’s sleep, about mid morning she began slipping into delirium. Her sugar was tested and was so low it did not register. The EMT’s were called. They arrived and administered glucose IV. She recovers. They say, “give her sugar because it will drop.” We did. Then it began dropping again. More orange juice. It continued to drop. The EMT’s called again. She stops breathing and eyes stay open looking to the side. Richard embraces her, sits beside her and gazes into the eyes that 44 years ago received his love.
The EMTs arrived moments after she entered glory.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Conklin Cemetery. Please express condolences online at www.SavageFS.com. Full obituary also at www.TiersNews.com. Arrangements entrusted to SAVAGE-DeMarco Funeral Service
