Joanne Marie (McHugh) Cornfield

It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne Marie (McHugh) Cornfield, announces her passing on April 16, 2024, at the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) with her family by her side. Born on June 25, 1961, in Grand Falls-Windsor Newfoundland, she was the only daughter of the late Edward S. McHugh and Agnes (Barker) McHugh.  Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by her in-laws Norma and Murray Cornfield and sister-in-law Lynn Cornfield.

Joanne loved life and was fiercely proud of growing up in Newfoundland. In the mid 70’s she moved to Quispamsis with her parents at the age of 15 and graduated from Kennebecasis Valley High School in 1979. She took Office Administration at NBCC and briefly worked in that field before becoming a mother in 1985 and again in 1988.  She cared for other children in her home for several years while her girls were growing up.

Joanne was an inspiring and entertaining leader at Weight Watchers for many years.  She bravely went back to school and graduated from Eastern College’s PSW (Personal Support Worker) program in 2009 as the Valedictorian - something for which she was immensely proud. She worked at SJRH up until retirement in 2021 and will be fondly remembered by the staff and grateful patients she cared for. 

In 2017, she was given a new lease on life after receiving a kidney transplant whom she lovingly referred to as ‘Charlie’. Joanne was an advocate for the Kidney Foundation & spoke recently at the Annual Kidney Day Breakfast.

She loved to spoil her feline fur babies Bella & Misty and was ever so generous to her family and friends. Her family was her world and spoiling her grandchildren, in particular, was top priority for her. She loved surprising them all with her gifts. She enjoyed shopping, especially when on a cruise; she never came home without a new piece of jewelry!

Since retirement, she took on traveling with gusto exploring Newfoundland, Florida and Ireland, as well as taking Caribbean and European river cruises! She also never missed an opportunity to jump in the car to see her granddaughter’s cheer competitions wherever they were held in the Maritimes. When she was not traveling, she enjoyed sitting back and relaxing with her husband at the trailer in Sussex.

Joanne was outgoing and treated everyone with respect and kindness. She was full of life with an infectious laugh and a wry sense of humour. She was always up for a good time spent with those she loved.

Left with endless loving memories are her husband, Grant Cornfield; daughters, Jocelyn Goldsworthy (Christopher) & Christine Crawford (Nathan); brother, Edward J. McHugh (Shelly); adorable grandchildren, Cole, Quinn, & Ace; as well as nephews, nieces, aunts and many cousins, in-laws, and loyal friends who all loved her dearly. 

Services for Joanne will be held at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road in Saint John. Visitation will take place on Saturday, April 27th from 2-4 p.m. with the Celebration of Life service on Sunday, April 28th at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joanne to the New Brunswick chapters of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Diabetes Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, or to her favourite Saint John and area cause: Redhead Strays (Helping Stray Cats Strut). Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at fundyfuneralhome.com.  For those unable to attend the service, you can view it online at the following:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=76c54e26-bb26-4537-bbed-a366a45f4fa3

Special thanks go out to the SJRH staff (some of whom Joanne worked with in the past) on 5AS and Palliative Care for their kindness, compassion, and care.  

“Joanne, may you travel smoothly on your Heavenly cruise.”

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