Joan Ganis Dollard passed away quietly in her sleep early Thursday morning September 13, having lived a long life that stood out for her uncommon kindness; dedicated, perpetual friendship to those she loved; and a caring and open heart.

She was born in Bronx, NY, to Louisa and Avisay Ganis. She was the youngest of six sisters, Rose Sachs, Sophie Winton, Diana Watkin, Freda Weiner and Matilda "Terry" Dunn, all of whom have predeceased her. With 14 years between her and her next-in-line sister, Terry, she lived a life of strong convictions and independence. Her professional career began in the early 60s, an uncommon path for a woman at that time. She began as a secretary at one of the most popular magazines of the era, Good Housekeeping, and rose to fiction editor of the magazine a few years later. It was at this time that she met and married John Adrian Dollard, esteemed Professor of Sociology at Yale. She subsequently moved to New Haven where she lived for the next 58 years, twenty of them with Professor Dollard until his passing in 1980. She was an active participant in the Yale community. She was administrative assistant to Yale President Bart Giamatti, with whose family she remained close throughout her life. She was a strong supporter of the Yale Drama School; a founder and longtime board member of the Connecticut Ballet; and was involved with New Haven Reads, tutoring children to whom English was not a first language.

A November celebration of her life is being planned.