Joan (Giordano) Cullen

Joan (Giordano) Cullen, passed away on December 4, 2024, at the age of 89. Giovanna, later known as Joan, was born on January 1, 1935, to the late Grace (Magazzu) and Biagio Giordano, who were immigrants from Sicily, Italy. The Giordano family made their home in Canastota, NY. Joan was the first baby born in Canastota in 1935, arriving shortly after midnight. Joan grew up working for her father who was an onion farmer on the legendary “muck” in Canastota. She graduated from Canastota High School in 1951 and was the only girl in her graduating class to go on to college. Joan attended LeMoyne College and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1956. She met Jerry Cullen who was a student at LeMoyne in the spring of 1955. They married shortly after Joan’s graduation and settled in the Syracuse area. Joan worked many roles in Nursing over the next 63 years, employed by St. Joseph's Hospital, Carrier Corporation, the Federal building, private duty nursing, St. Margaret's School, and the North Syracuse and Liverpool School Districts. In 2008 she was honored with The St. Joseph's Health Center College of Nursing's Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing in the Community Setting. She remained close with her group of nursing school friends, having annual reunions throughout her life. Joan has lived in Liverpool since 1964, where she and Jerry raised two children. Joan was a devout Catholic and a woman of tremendous faith. She was a long-time member of St. Margaret's Church in Mattydale, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Money Counter, Parish Nurse and member of the health ministry team, Altar and Rosary Society member, Confraternity of Christian Mothers and RCIA teacher. She was also an associate of St. Lucy Filippini. Over the years, Joan volunteered with numerous local organizations, including the Unity Kitchen, Jail Ministry, WCNY Tel-Auc, thirty plus years with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Camp Good Days and Special Times, Francis House, Usher for Famous Artists and the Landmark Theater, Italian Festival, YMCA Triathlon and Samaritan Center. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross as a disaster nurse at both local and national disasters. Later in life, Joan was a member of Mattydale-Hinsdale Seniors, North Syracuse Seniors, St. Daniel's Wisdom Seniors, Hope for Bereaved Over the Rainbow group, Fit for the Next Fifty-Senior Exercise Program at Onondaga Lake Park and the American Italian Heritage Association. Joan loved going back to Canastota to visit friends. One of her favorite things to do was to go to the annual Boxing Hall of Fame weekend. She loved to travel, taking many trips to Europe (including 11 times to Italy), the Holy Land, and throughout the United States. For 15 years she never missed her annual trip to St. Thomas. Joan was an excellent homemaker and cook, learning well from her Sicilian Mother. She enjoyed hosting family dinners, especially on the holidays. She was a voracious lifelong reader, often having multiple books going at the same time. Joan loved to talk, laugh and spend time with family and friends. She enjoyed dominoes, playing cards and attending her grandchildren’s activities. She never missed their school events or dance competitions. Joan is predeceased by her parents Grace and Biagio, her infant brother Giacomo, and her husband of 30 years, Gerald M. Cullen, in 1987. She is survived by her daughter, Colleen (Steven) Richardson of Liverpool, son, Mark Cullen of Liverpool, daughter-in-law, Christine Bent Cullen of North Syracuse, and the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Emily Richardson of Boston, MA and Jared Cullen of Liverpool/North Syracuse. Joan is also survived by her brother, Jack (Judy) Giordano of Redwood, NY and by several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Joan’s good friends Lois Murphy, Carleen Smith, Bob & Linda Graves and Mary Kieffer-Piazza for always being there for her. Calling hours will be held from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME 3401 Vickery Rd. (Corner of Buckley Rd.) Syracuse, NY 13212. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Margaret's Church, 200 Roxboro Rd., Mattydale. Joan will be laid to rest in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse. Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to St. Margaret’s Church, 200 Roxboro Rd. Syracuse, NY 13211, or to St. Joseph’s College of Nursing, 206 Prospect Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13203.

Joan (Giordano) Cullen

January 1, 1935 - December 4, 2024