Obituary of Joan McKay Callahan

Webster:  Peacefully passed into the everlasting arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ February 26, 2025 at the age of 74, after a 10 month battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Predeceased by her parents, Henry and Janet McKay.  She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Chuck; son, Brian; daughters, Maureen (Robert) Tumey, Catherine (Brian) Cannon, and Erin (Miguel) Cortes; sister, Pamela McKay; brothers, David (Patricia) McKay, James (Nadia) McKay; and her 15 loving grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her loving church family at Grace Baptist Church in Irondequoit.

Joan was born in Bethlehem, PA on August 2, 1950, and grew up in suburban Philadelphia. She attended Niagara University for 3 years, where she met her husband, and graduated from Nazareth College with a degree in Sociology. Joan loved the Lord and had a servant’s heart. In many ways she exemplified the woman described in Proverbs 31. She spent her life raising her 4 children; doing volunteer work in various charitable organizations; heading up clothing drives for orphans in Ukraine, sending along the hundreds of scarves she knitted; sponsored refugees from Ethiopia and Ukraine; hosted children from Belarus for 8 summers in her home; sewed dresses for needy children in third world countries; along with other charitable endeavors.

Joan loved Maine, attending summer camps in her teenage years, camping with the family and friends, and then spending time at the family seasonal residence in Surry, not far from Acadia National Park.

Private burial services will be held at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Passion for the Poor International, P.O. Box 3914, Shreveport, LA 71133 – website: passionforthepoorintl.org.