A lifelong Little Falls resident, Joan Cecelia Canorro, age 91, passed away on Monday morning, November 20, 2023. Her passing occurred at Little Falls Hospital. She had the love and support of her family by her side, when her passing occurred.
Joan was born on March 1, 1932 daughter of the late William and Cecelia Weber Ward. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Warren W. Canorro on May 1, 1954 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk, NY. They were married forty years until Warren’s passing in 1994.
Joan began her professional career in the office at Remington Rand and then spent thirty years as a dedicated and loyal employee of the Little Falls Hospital. She retired at the age of 75 as the switchboard operator. After retirement from the hospital, Joan continued to work delivering Meals on Wheels to the “elderly”. She was instrumental in instilling a strong work ethic in her children. She was a member of the Holy Family Parish Rosarians and a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.
Joan was a faith filled woman who prayed the Rosary daily. She was kind, witty, and giving. Joan loved her family and was a friend to all who knew her. She did not shy away from playing cards, she loved to sit on the warm radiator, putting together a puzzle, enjoyed her sweets, and keeping her family fed with her delicious home cooked meals. She enjoyed driving her car and made the best chocolate chip cookies. She adored her dogs and sitting on her porch on a warm sunny day. Most recently, she loved watching NCIS on repeat, mainly to watch Gibbs.
She was blessed with four children, Rose Marie Battisti (Jack Bruce), Jim Canorro (Sue), Colleen Corsi (Sam), and Stacie Shepardson all of Little Falls, twelve grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She played a vital role in the lives of each of her grandchildren and in turn was blessed by them in her final years. She loved her family deeply.
Joan was preceded in death by her four siblings, Rosemary Wren, Ruth Ward, William Ward, Carol Wren, her son-in-law, Jeffrey Shepardson and her lifelong best friend, Sandy Viscome.
We sincerely appreciate the compassionate care provided to Joan by her caregivers, Carly and Stephanie Proulx, Chris Lynch and her grandchildren Jennifer Bacher, Alexandra Palmer, and Abby Bacher. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Herkimer County Humane Society, Pause for All Paws, Little Falls Hospital or a charity of your choice.
In keeping with Joan's wishes, traditional funeral services have been placed under the direction and care of the Little Falls owned Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, between Little Falls and St. Johnsville, 315-508-5131. Calling hours at MVFC will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25th, 2023 from 10am until 12 pm. A transfer prayer service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday at 12:30 pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 1 pm from Holy Family Parish, corner of E. Main and John Sts., Little Falls. Joan will be laid to rest on Tuesday, Nov. 28th, 2023 at 10 am in St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Herkimer.
There’s magic in a Mother’s touch,
and sunshine in her smile.
There’s love in everything she does
to make our lives worthwhile.
We can find both hope and courage
Just by looking in her eyes.
Her laughter is a source of joy,
her works are warm and wise.
There is a kindness and compassion
to be found in her embrace,
and we see the light of heaven
shining from a Mother’s face.
