Obituary of Joan M. Briody

A kind, nurturing soul who spent her life caring for others, Joan Marie (McCormick) Briody, passed away March 5, 2021 at the age of 90, following a brief illness.  Joan was born April 3, 1930 in Buffalo, NY to Margaret (Elliott) and Emmett McCormick.  In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her siblings Mary Blazer, Patricia DiCamillo, Jack McCormick, and Margaret Degan and great-grandson Kian Burke. 

She is survived by her devout husband of 65 years, James Thomas Briody and their children Molly (Michael) Gatto of Blue Bell, PA, J. Thomas Briody of San Francisco, CA, Ann (Daniel) Petock of Lockport, NY, Susan (Robert) Burke of Stuart, FL, and daughter-in-law Greta Schultz of Youngstown, NY.  Joan is also survived by her loving grandchildren of whom she was especially proud: Meghan (Travers) Mackel, Shaun (Jaime) Burke, Ryan (Casey) Burke, Erin (Steven) Schlegel, Emily (Franziskus) Bertl, Nicholas (Emily) Gatto, Patrick (Melissa) Briody, Kathryn (Justin) Lute, Kelley Petock, and Elizabeth (Courtney) McKeegan and her 17 great-grandchildren.  She believed that her greatest accomplishment in life was her loving family.

Joan graduated from Sisters of Charity Hospital School of Nursing in 1950.  She worked at Bell Aerospace as a nurse prior to her marriage to Jim in 1956.  She and Jim owned and operated Briody Health Care Facility from 1960-1990.  In her retirement, Joan remained an active member of the Lockport community.

Joan was incredibly selfless and was someone that was always concerned about the welfare of others and always wanted to give back to the community.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mount Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation (Lockport Memorial Hospital Campaign), 5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family will be holding a memorial service in the coming months.