Joanne Lindsey Corr, 59, of Newport, RI passed away at home, surrounded by her family and circle of friends, on Sunday, May 28, 2017. She was the loving wife of the late James Michael Corr. She was the daughter of the late Anne and David Lindsey of Middletown, RI where she was raised. She is predeceased by her niece Leah (Braman) Ploutz, her brother David Lindsey and his wife Theresa.
She leaves her daughter Rachael Olobri and her husband Christopher of Jamestown. She also leaves her son Peter, his wife Meaghan and her two adored grandchildren Jack and Annie. She is survived by her loving sisters, Helen Kingsboro and husband Larry, Carolee Lindsey, Margaret Whitford and husband Dal, Catherine Braman, Mary Grinnell and husband Harry. She leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
Joanne graduated from Middletown High School class of 1976. She went on to CCRI, URI, and later obtained her MSW from RIC. She worked at several retail stores in downtown Newport before beginning her career at Newport County Community Mental Health Center as a program manager in the Independent Living Apartment Program and later as a clinical social worker.
Joanne was happiest spending time with her family and friends, or swimming at Elephant Rock. She loved the beach, Sachuest Point, Norman Bird Sanctuary, camping, hiking trips and her garden. On a summer day, Joanne was often boogie boarding at Second Beach, digging in the sand with her grandchildren, or picking strawberries and making her awesome jam.
Joanne felt that cancer did not control her life in the past five years, but it was part of her journey in this world. Joanne wanted to express her gratitude for the nurses and staff at Women and Infants Hospital for their kindness, support, and professionalism, as well as the nurses and staff at the Newport Hospital Lifespan Cancer Institute who provided warm and welcoming care. The Healing Co-op of Middletown supported her and Rachael as an extended family in these years.
Her love of life, even with its challenges, was an inspiration to us all. She had the ability to make every person feel special and loved for their uniqueness and presence in her life. She taught us to have gratitude for nature, the smallest beauties in each moment, and especially each other.
A Mass of Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 2, 2017 at Jesus Savior Church, 509 Broadway, Newport, at 10am. Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 4-7 pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Joanne’s name to The Healing Co-Operative, a 501 (c) 3 organization, 222 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI 02842.
