Obituary of Joanne R. Condron

Joanne R. Condron, 90, of Cortland, passed away peacefully at her home on May 22, 2022. She lived most of her life at the family farm on East River Road before moving to a ranch home on Bell Drive in 2013. She was born on June 16, 1931 in Cortland, the daughter of the late Francis Riley and Margaret (O'Connell) Riley. Joanne attended the Lorings Crossing one-room schoolhouse on East River Road through the eighth grade. She graduated from Cortland High School in 1949 and then Cortland State in 1953. Joanne spent many happy years working at Marian Margaret's ice cream shop during high school and college. She started her teaching career at Groton Central School. Joanne later taught at Homer Elementary School for 22 years, mostly as a 2nd grade teacher, retiring in 1990. Joanne's biggest passion, after her family, was raising top-caliber Airedale and Norfolk Terriers. She adored her last Norfolk Terrier, Libby. Several of her dogs earned their American Champion designation. She also loved gardening and feeding the birds. Joanne enjoyed playing bridge as well as golf and was a long-time family member of Stonehedges Golf Course and, later, Cortland Country Club. Joanne was very faithful and was a lifelong communicant of St. Margaret's Catholic Church. Joanne enjoyed traveling to visit her childrens' families overseas and stateside. For many years she was an active member of the Homer Walking Ladies and truly enjoyed her annual winter trips to Florida with friends and family. She loved her many friends and her Bell Drive neighbors. In addition to her parents, Joanne is predeceased by her brother, John Riley, who died tragically in a farm accident in 1959. She lost the love of her life, William F. Condron, Sr., in 1991 and never remarried. She is survived by her sons William F. (Catherine) Condron Jr. and Thomas J. (Doris) Condron, her daughter Margaret (Michael) Lenish and her grandchildren William III, Brendan, Ryan, Nicholas, Joan, Thomas, Patrick, Lillian, John, Christopher, and Jeffrey along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 26th from 5 - 7 p.m. at Wright Beard Funeral Home in Cortland. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Margaret's Church in Homer on Friday, May 27th at 10:30 a.m. with burial immediately thereafter at St. Mary's Cemetery. You may stream the service directly at https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/joanne-condron, or by clicking tab shown above labeled "Live Funeral Stream." Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Joanne's memory to St. Margaret's Church.