Joan H. Connor

Joan H. Connor, 87, a resident of both the Carbondale and Newton Lake communities passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, August 1st.  Born February 19, 1936, she was an accomplished business owner, artist, crafter, and woodworker.  She was known for her custom residential murals, larger than life wooden reindeer and sleigh displays, and for organizing streets filled with luminaries on Christmas Eve.  Joan was a graduate of St. Rose High School and a member of St. Rose Parish and choir.  She held the position of Executive Director of the Carbondale Area Chamber of Commerce up until her retirement at age 62.  She was also the owner and founder of Colonial Cottage Country Crafts.  When she was not teaching art classes, or gathering donations for local animal shelters, she enjoyed spending her free time at her lake house with family and friends.  

Joan is the wife of Eugene W. Connor, Carbondale.  They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.    

She is survived by her son Gene S. Connor and companion Terri Kovaleski, daughter Donna M. Kohut and husband Joseph T. Kohut , sister Marilyn A Grecco, grandchildren Jason Kohut, Kellyann Nevins, Megan Kohut, Lisa Maslonka, Jill Connor, Laura Rowland, and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Stephen and Helen M. Yanchek, her brother Stephen P. Yanchek Jr. and her grandson Joseph X. Kohut.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr Allen and Katy Orehek and to all the staff at Aventura at Creekside for their compassion and kindness during Joan’s stay.

The funeral will be Friday August 4th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Saint Rose of Lima Church. 6 N. Church Street, Carbondale; Interment will be in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery , Finch Hill.

Friends may call Friday at the chuch from 9:30 am until mass time.

Arrangements by the Brennan and Brennan Funeral Home, Inc. 55 Lincoln Ave, Carbondale,

In lieu of flowers please pay it forward with a random act of kindness in Joan’s memory. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan H. Connor, please visit our floral store.