Joan Caufield Contento
Joan Caufield Contento passed away peacefully on Oct. 30 after a brief illness.
Known as “Joanie” or “Nanny” to family and friends, she was a longtime resident of Orient.
Joanie was a kind and loving person with a warm heart that touched the lives of many people throughout her wonderful life. She accepted all, loved unconditionally, and was equally adored. She faced aging with resilience, grace and humor, and her quick-witted, spunky personality always shined through. While Joanie’s passing left a void in the lives of many family and friends, the loss is assuaged by so many wonderful and precious memories. She leaves a legacy of love, friendship and family to so many.
Joanie was born in Union City, N.J., and raised a family of six children with first husband, Edward, in Rutherford, N.J. She and her family began spending weekends on the East End in the late 1950s, eventually settling into full summer retreats in Orient in the 1960s. In 1974, they decided to move to Orient as full-time residents, moving into the family home on Youngs Road as Edward opened his optometry practice in Southold.
Joanie was predeceased by her husband of 28 years, Edward, when he died prematurely, leaving her a widow at age 50. A few years later she met the second love of her life, Jimmy Contento. Joanie and Jimmy (Nanny and Pop-Pop) were married in June of 1983.
During their 33-year marriage, Joanie and Jimmy saw their already large family grow even larger as their children married and started their own families. Over the years they welcomed the addition of 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren into their lives. She was also predeceased by her second husband, Jimmy, in October 2016.
She leaves behind her nine loving children and their spouses: Edward and Janice Caufield, Ellen and Patrick Kelly, Timothy Caufield, William Contento, Rosemary and Jeff Rogers, Maura and Paul Berenato, Patricia Caufield, Christopher and Morgan Caufield and Christina Contento; and 20 grandchildren, their spouses, and 10 great-grandchildren, Christopher Caufield and Christina Parowczenko, and Sabine; Ryane Rogers, and Madison, Parker and Sean; Emily Caufield and Blayne Smith, and Kennedy; Patrick and Allison Kelly; Kaitlin and Chris Macomber, and Kylie and Avery; Liam and Kaitlyn Kelly, and Thomas; Kenneth Caufield and Megan Iverson; Jeffrey Rogers; Erin Kelly and Eric Still; Corey Browne; Nina Caufield and Casey Kinney; Timmy and Katelyn Browne, and Mason and Marley; Matthew Berenato; David Berenato; Eddie Rogers; Jack Volinski; Julia Berenato; Rosemary Volinski; Molly Caufield and Eddie Caufield; and her beloved caregiver, Ana
The family received visitors Nov. 3 at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral Mass took place Nov. 4 at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Burial took place at Orient Central Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Orient Central Cemetery, c/o Edward J. Wright, 510 Navy St., Orient, NY 11957.
This is a paid notice.
