Joanne D. McElwain, 88, Bombay

BOMBAY – Joanne D. McElwain, age 88, was peacefully called home to our heavenly father on June 25, 2023, at the Canton Potsdam Hospital.

Joanne was born in North Bangor on the family farm on December 22, 1934, the daughter of the late Howard and Mabel (Dunn) White. She was a graduate of Brushton High School as a salutatorian. She continued on with her education at SUNY Plattsburgh, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in education/Home Economics. On August 11, 1962, Joanne united into marriage with Errol F. McElwain at St. Mary's Church in Brushton. The couple purchased the family farm that year and were in operation until he retired in 2007. Errol predeceased her on April 22, 2020.

During her 35-year teaching Career, Joanne taught at Schroon Lake, St. Lawrence Central, and after marrying Errol, she began fulfilling 28 years at Salmon River Central School, retiring in 1990.

Joanne was very community oriented and was a 4-H Club Leader of Pioneer Dairy, a 7th Degree member of the Grange, and belonged to the future homemakers of America. She was awarded NYS Home Economic Teacher of the Year (1990) and Seaway Valley Woman of the Year for all her service, commitment, and educational programs.

She was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, Bombay, and was a member of the St. Joseph’s society for many years.

Her passions were time with family, reading, cooking, sewing, and traveling. She especially enjoyed going to Ireland with Errol for their 25th wedding anniversary.

Joanne is survived by her daughter Meg (Brett) Bradley of South Bombay; Grandchildren Errolynn (Noah) Bero of Bombay, Beaux Bradley of Bombay, Felix Miller, Mellissa Dack, Scott Davis, and Diana Baker. She is also survived by a brother David Dunn of North Bangor, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be dearly missed by her caregivers and close family friends; Sally Barse, Tina Spinner, and Dolly Villnave. The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate nursing professionals on Med/Surgical Floor 2 at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. A time of visitation will be held Friday (June 30, 2023) at St. Mary’s Church, Brushton, from 10-10:45 a.m., where Joanne’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Kris C. Lauzon presiding. Burial will immediately follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bombay.

Donations in Joanne’s honor may be made to the Ft. Covington Rescue Squad, Bombay Rescue. Squad, or to St. Mary’s Church, Ft Covington, NY.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.flintfuneralhomeny.com.