In Loving Memory of JoAnn Cloonan

Some people make the world sweeter with the desserts they bake. JoAnn Cloonan did that, too, but she also made the world sweeter by making life, and the people around her, better.

“Eat dessert first” and “don't ever change” were two things JoAnn often said. If you knew her, you knew she lived by both. She celebrated life wholeheartedly, loved to laugh, never passed up an opportunity for dessert and coffee, and was always cheering someone on.

Cheering was woven into who JoAnn was. As a CYO cheerleading coach, she proudly led her team to Nationals. Whether coaching cheerleading, Little League girls' softball, or volunteering at the Buccaneer Booster concession stand on Friday nights, JoAnn's greatest gift was encouraging others. She found joy in showing up, lending a hand, and helping people believe in themselves.

Many remember JoAnn from St. Mary's School, where she volunteered in the lunchroom and on the playground. Others knew her through the events she catered, the cakes she lovingly baked for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and celebrations of every kind, or through mornings shared with friends at local Oswego diners and countless evenings at Friendly's. If you needed a different kind of care, you may have met JoAnn at Oswego Family Physician's office, where she worked, greeting everyone with her warm smile and kind spirit. Or perhaps you simply knew her as the friendly face waving from her porch on West Seneca Street.

Born on June 22, 1940, in Oswego to Virginia (Catalone) and Samuel Virgo, JoAnn was the oldest of three children. She was predeceased by her brother, Sam “Porky” Virgo (Debbie). She is survived by her youngest sister Jean MacLean (Robert), who was lovingly by her side when JoAnn passed away peacefully.

JoAnn built a beautiful life centered on friendship, laughter, service, love, and family. She was married to her beloved husband, Hugh Cloonan, for 62 years and was the proud mother of Timothy (Melissa), Pamela (Evon), Rory, and Tiffany (Scott). Nothing brought her greater joy than being “Grandma,” “Nana,” or “Ama” to her six cherished granddaughters: Ava, Mary Kate, Anna, Sasha, Samantha, and Sadie. She could be spotted at just about any of their events throughout the Oswego community, proudly cheering them on as their biggest fan from the sidelines.

JoAnn also cherished the large Irish family she married into, including her predeceased parent in-laws: Hubert and Beulah Cloonan and brothers- and sisters-in-law: Maureen Cloonan, Patrick Cloonan, and Carol Cloonan and surviving brothers- and sisters-in-law: Valerie Martin (James), Michael Cloonan, Constance Cloonan (John Thurber), Kathy Cloonan and James Cloonan. She was also a proud aunt to many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply. JoAnn treasured her many friendships and found so much happiness in the laughter, conversations, coffee dates, and memories shared with those she held dear.

JoAnn's life reminds us all to be ourselves, cheer loudly, love deeply, celebrate others, enjoy the little things, and always leave room for dessert.

Though her family and friends will miss her immensely, they find comfort in knowing that her kindness, generosity, and joyful spirit live on in the countless lives she touched. The greatest way to honor JoAnn is to do what she did so effortlessly: accept people as they are, cheer for them without reservation, and make the world a little sweeter every chance you get.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 9th from 4 - 7 p.m. with a service to follow at 7 p.m. at Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home. A private burial will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

In honor of JoAnn's love for Oswego youth sports organizations, those who wish to do so may make donations to Oswego Youth Soccer Association, 255 West Seneca Street, PMB #111, Oswego, NY 13126. Those wishing to specifically support the new youth softball league may indicate this in the memo, and funds will be directed accordingly by Teresa Gilbert.