Obituary: Joanne MacDonald, 76, Of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — (From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home): The family of Joanne McDonough MacDonald sadly announces her passing from a long illness, on Monday, July 3, 2023, at the age of 76. Devoted wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, full time Registered Nurse and devoted sister, aunt, and friend.

Joanne was born in New Haven, CT on July 31, 1946, and spent most of her life in Hamden, CT. She is a graduate of Hartford Hospital School of Nursing and became an RN working in Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital. She then moved to Meriden, CT and spent the majority of her nursing career in the Emergency Department of WWII Veterans Memorial Hospital.

At age 40, Joanne decided to go back to school and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology from Quinnipiac University, while working and raising two kids. Degree in hand, Joanne went on to work at Partnerships Adult Day Care center in Hamden, where she made lifelong friendships and really loved her job.

Joanne enjoyed life and especially loved trips to Lake George and Florida with good friends, summers at the cottage with her family, excursions to New York City to see the latest Broadway show, walking 18 holes whenever possible, and cheering on her favorite teams, the UConn Huskies, NY Giants, and New York Yankees.

Joanne is now reunited with her beloved husband and best friend of 49 years, Robert Boyd MacDonald and leaves behind her children, Kristin (Bryan) Ward and Matthew MacDonald. “Nana” watches over the loves of her life, her seven grandchildren: Hannah, Brennan, Declan, Finn, and Kieran Ward and Payton and Oliver MacDonald. She is survived by her incredibly devoted sister, Karen (Robert) Skowronski, her rock throughout the entire illness, as well as sister Suzanne (Bob) McDermott, Marilyn (Kevin) MacDonald, and brother Edward (Barrie) McDonough, and was predeceased by her parents, Edward J. and Jeanne McDonough.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Friends are asked to go directly to church. Burial immediately following at Centerville Cemetery in Hamden, CT. Calling hours are Monday, July 10 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 200 Executive Blvd. Southington, CT. 06489-1058.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Sisk Brothers Funeral Home here.