Josephine Kane Wood passed away peacefully on September 16, 2021, at the age of 86, with her husband Graham by her side. Joelle was born and raised in Syracuse, the daughter of Margaret (Maher) and Howard W. Kane. She attended Goodyear Burlingame School, graduating from Westover School, CT and Rosemont College, PA.
While she had known Graham all her life, it wasn’t until college that they fell in love and were married in June 1958. Together they built a wonderful life together, full of love and laughs, fun with friends and joyous times with family.
Joelle’s many interests included creating beautiful gardens, traveling the world with family and friends, watercolor painting, tennis, paddle tennis and skiing. In tennis, she was known to be a real threat at the net. She competed nationally as an amateur in many tournaments, although her favorite tennis was on the courts at the Cazenovia Club, where she won her last tournament at the age of 80.
She volunteered at the Francis House hospice, for over 20 years, was a breast cancer survivor and mentor for the American Cancer Society, as well as a past board member of the Erie Canal Museum. She was also a past member of the Junior League of Syracuse, the Francis House Auxiliary, the Four Seasons Garden Club, Syracuse Garden Club, Cazenovia Club, Cazenovia Ski Club, and the Coral Beach & Tennis Club, Bermuda.
Joelle’s greatest joy came from spending time with her friends and family, with family trips holding a special place in her heart. She is survived by her husband and best friend Graham W. Wood, daughters Susan Holliday and Margaret (Terry) Holleran, son in law, Martin F. Holleran III, and grandchildren, Megan DeJonge (Austin), Ryan Holliday, Bradley Holliday, Shane Holleran, and her brother Edward M. Kane. Joelle’s brother Howard W. Kane Jr. predeceased her.
Alzheimer's presents a series of increasingly tough challenges for any family. Over the last several years, Joelle and Graham faced the challenges of this disease, together, with love, as they have everything in their 63 years of marriage. Our hope is that with awareness, education and research people will better understand the disease, how to support those with it, and how to reduce personal risk. Please consider supporting the Alzheimer's Association of CNY. The family will have a private funeral service and would like to thank everyone for their support.
While she had known Graham all her life, it wasn’t until college that they fell in love and were married in June 1958. Together they built a wonderful life together, full of love and laughs, fun with friends and joyous times with family.
Joelle’s many interests included creating beautiful gardens, traveling the world with family and friends, watercolor painting, tennis, paddle tennis and skiing. In tennis, she was known to be a real threat at the net. She competed nationally as an amateur in many tournaments, although her favorite tennis was on the courts at the Cazenovia Club, where she won her last tournament at the age of 80.
She volunteered at the Francis House hospice, for over 20 years, was a breast cancer survivor and mentor for the American Cancer Society, as well as a past board member of the Erie Canal Museum. She was also a past member of the Junior League of Syracuse, the Francis House Auxiliary, the Four Seasons Garden Club, Syracuse Garden Club, Cazenovia Club, Cazenovia Ski Club, and the Coral Beach & Tennis Club, Bermuda.
Joelle’s greatest joy came from spending time with her friends and family, with family trips holding a special place in her heart. She is survived by her husband and best friend Graham W. Wood, daughters Susan Holliday and Margaret (Terry) Holleran, son in law, Martin F. Holleran III, and grandchildren, Megan DeJonge (Austin), Ryan Holliday, Bradley Holliday, Shane Holleran, and her brother Edward M. Kane. Joelle’s brother Howard W. Kane Jr. predeceased her.
Alzheimer's presents a series of increasingly tough challenges for any family. Over the last several years, Joelle and Graham faced the challenges of this disease, together, with love, as they have everything in their 63 years of marriage. Our hope is that with awareness, education and research people will better understand the disease, how to support those with it, and how to reduce personal risk. Please consider supporting the Alzheimer's Association of CNY. The family will have a private funeral service and would like to thank everyone for their support.
