Joan Cunnea was born in Chicago, Illinois where she had a very active and joyous upbringing. In high school, Joan was on both varsity basketball and volleyball teams, in orchestra, played clarinet and flute and later picked up guitar and harmonica.
She was also the squadron leader of the Civil Air Patrol with rank of Staff Sergeant. When close to graduation, she was asked if she would like to join the Air Force as a lieutenant which she chose religious life instead for 23 years. She received her Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing in 1957 and Masters Degree in Nursing in 1965. She worked in hospitals in Chicago, Illinois, Iowa City, Iowa, and Aurora, Illinois.
Joan became involved in the Cesar Chavez movement and joined the boycott in Fresno, CA. She worked as a nurse at a migrant daycare center and had the opportunity to obtain a grant and designed a mobile health clinic, gathered volunteer doctors, nurses and staff and held clinics on various migrant farms. The director of the daycare asked Joan if she would be director. Joan said she would try it for one year and that ended up being 31 years.
Joan’s greatest gift was for Catholic faith. She loved to go on pilgrimages to Knock, Ireland, Greece, Rome, Assisi, the Holy Land and Medjugorje. Three of her most memorable experiences were a hot air balloon ride, snorkeling in Hawaii and a fly-in deep sea fishing trip in Alaska.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, John J. Cunnea and Lilian M, Cunnea. Her surviving relatives are her sister, Barbara Cunnea Hodgkinson; sister-in-law, Barbara S. Cunnea; nephew, James D. Cunnea; nieces, Diana C. Cunnea and Susan R. Seager; grandnephews, Kolton T. Seager and Kaden C. Seager; nephew-in-law, Kirk D. Seager; and faithful family friend, Michael Ponte. Laura June Smith was a Sister of Saint Joseph for 17 years. She was a daughter, sister, friend and a spiritual advocate.
Joan’s favorite prayer was: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you and may my last word be Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Joan’s favorite poem was: “The Hound of Heaven” by Frances Thompson. Joan’s favorite hymn was: “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place”. Resting in the Spirit. Miracle of the Sun in Medj.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales with Father Luis Osorio officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City.
