Joanne Genereux Reed

Joanne Marie Genereux Reed, of Middletown, New York died per her directive at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.  She was 86 years old.

Born in Worcester and raised in Webster, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Joseph C. Genereux, Esq. and the late Hermance Thibaut Genereux.

After graduating a year early from Webster High School in 1948, she furthered her education at the Worcester Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing, becoming an R.N.  Following graduation, Joanne spent the summer and fall in Paris before returning to Webster where she briefly worked at the Worcester Hospital before moving to New York City.  Joanne enjoyed her years in the city, working as a nurse, participating in theatrical productions and enjoying the arts.  She returned to Webster in 1957 and became the Webster High School nurse, where her maiden aunts, Ludivine and Desanges both taught.  Joanne married Jim Pappas in 1960 and settled in Middletown, New York.  She worked as a R.N. for Norton Hospital that eventually became the Orange County Regional Medical Center.  She selflessly worked most weekends and holidays, so other nurses could be with their families.  She retired in 1996.

Joanne was a caregiver at heart and true to it's meaning.  She gave birth to her only child, Matthew and cared for him wholeheartedly for just a few short years of his life; welcomed her aging parents into her home and provided them with a safe sanctuary until their timely passing and tenderly cared for her beloved husband, Francis during his lengthy illnesses until his death.

Joanne was a voracious reader of everything from the arts to religion to international and local affairs.  If you knew her, you likely received her letters.  These notes were usually written in the wee hours of the morning, brief and to the point…that was Joanne.  Sometimes she would recite a french word or saying and always pronounced perfectly.  She would recall stories of her relatives, childhood neighborhood, young adulthood and all those she met in life with a sharpness and precision to details in sharing the story.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Francis Joseph Reed, her infant son, Matthew Genereux Pappas and her "brother", 11 months her junior, Joseph A. Genereux.

Per her directive and wishes, “please move on in your lives, love to all, au revoir”

Burial will be private in Wallkill Cemetery, Middletown, New York.

Memorial donations in Joanne’s memory may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, www.hospiceoforange.com -or- Neighborhood Hospice, www.chestercountyhospital.org

LONGWOOD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION

OF MATTHEW GENEREUX, INC.

913 East Baltimore Pike

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania  19348

610-388-6070 tel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne Genereux Reed, please visit our floral store.