Joanne Morell, Formerly Of Westhampton, Dies November 29

Joanne Morell

Joanne Morell, a Westhampton Beach High School graduate, died at Presbyterian Hospice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 29. She was 54.

Born on March 28, 1958, in Scarborough, Ontario, she married now retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dennis P. Morell in Port Ewen. The couple relocated to Denver, where 
Ms. Morell was lead instructor for the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center and equestrian coach for the Colorado Special Olympics. She was a paramedic and firefighter in the Nederland Colorado Volunteer Fire Department where she served as assistant chief of the medical division. She continued with paramedic service in the 
Westminster Colorado Fire Department and Denver Paramedics.

Ms. Morell completed surgical technologist training in Albuquerque and worked as a surgical technologist at the Surgery Center of Albuquerque. Upon moving to Catskill, she continued her work as a surgeon’s assistant in open heart surgery with the Capital Region Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Albany.

She was a former member of the Catskill Garden Club, volunteered as a docent at the Olana Historical site and was a former vice president of the Friends of the Beattie-Power House.

She loved animals and opened her heart and home to many of them who needed care and love. She spent the past summer caring for a homeless stray and her four kittens.

In addition to her husband, Ms. Morell is survived by a sister, Rosemary Simes of Westhampton; a brother, Paul Williams of Tucson, Arizona; and many loving nieces and nephews. Her parents are deceased.

A funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Albuquerque on Wednesday, December 5.

Memorial donations may be sent to Presbyterian Hospice, 8300 Constitution Avenue, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 or Animalkind, Hudson, New York.