Joan Reilly

Joan Reilly

Palmyra – Joan Dupont Reilly passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 29, 2023 near Rochester, NY from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

She was predeceased by her husband, David; parents, Anton and Bernice; siblings, Mary, Kathy, Antonette, Marge, Tony, and John.

Joan is survived by her children, Diane (Jon), Travis (Natasha), Denise (Josh), Robert (Jen), Daniel (Kim), and Brian (Danielle); grandchildren, Jack, Sawyer, Joey, Louanna, Danny, Alexandria, Maya, and one grandson on the way.  She is also survived by her siblings, Barb (Al), Joe (Shelly), and Jolene (Scott); several nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

Joan was born April 1, 1944 in Kranzburg, South Dakota. Joan was raised in Kranzburg and worked on her family farm alongside 9 siblings. After high school, Joan graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She entered the Navy in 1967 as an officer, serving stateside in military hospitals during the Vietnam War.

During her service time in Port Hueneme in Oxnard, California, Joan met David Reilly, a Navy Seabee. In September 1970, they married in South Dakota in a double wedding with Joan’s sister, Marge and her husband, Dean.

Joan and Dave moved to NY and started their family in 1972. Joan left nursing shortly after to stay home and raise her 6 children. After Dave’s sudden death in 1997, Joan re-entered nursing and worked with long term care and hospice patients.

Joan was a devout Catholic and volunteered her time to multiple groups and committees within the church, including Social Services, Right to Life rallies, Beginning Experience, bereavement lunch committee, and migrant worker clothing drives. Joan’s love for life, always trying to find the positive in people and situations, and strength in hard times is the legacy she left with her children and grandchildren. Faith and family were the most important aspects in her life, and she always made time to make each member feel loved and appreciated.

Family and friends may gather for calling hours from 4-6 PM on Friday (November 3) at Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapels, 123 E. Jackson St., Palmyra, NY 14522.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday (November 4), 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, 52 W. Main St., Macedon, NY 14502. Joan will be laid to rest in Palmyra Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly asking for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To leave the family an online message or condolence, please visit Joan’s tribute page, www.murphyfuneralservices.com. 

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