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McCaffrey, Joan May 7, 1942 - July 26, 2020

Joan Maria Cox McCaffrey of Bronxville, New York, died at Lawrence Hospital on July 26, 2020, of pancreatic cancer. Joan was the devoted wife of James B. McCaffrey and the beloved mother of Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) of New York City, Kathleen McCaffrey Baynes of Albany, New York, Sara Jane McCaffrey of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Deirdre McCaffrey of Greenwich, Connecticut, Clare McCaffrey of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kiera McCaffrey Poumade of Alexandria, Virginia. She is survived also by her sons-in-law, Christopher Baynes, Matthew Bidwell, Robert Mate, and James Poumade. Joan was the devoted grandmother of Taylor McCaffrey, Emmett and Anna Baynes, James and Margaret (“Daisy”) Bidwell, and Maria, Dulce, Robert (“Beto”), and Cecelia (“Ceci”) Mate. Joan is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Patricia Cox, of Savannah, Georgia, and her sister-in-law, Rosemarie McCaffrey Keane of Westhampton, New York.

Joan was born in the Bronx in 1942. Her parents were Mary (Doherty) and Michael Cox, both born in Ireland. Joan attended Sacred Heart School in Highbridge, as did her future husband, James McCaffrey. She graduated from St. Jean Baptiste High School in New York City, and received her Bachelor of Science from D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. She was a Registered Nurse. Joan Cox and James McCaffrey were married at Sacred Heart Church in 1965. In 1973, they moved to Bronxville, New York, where they have lived ever since.

After Joan raised their six daughters, she received a degree in computer science at Iona College. Later, she was a successful headhunter. When she finally retired, she began volunteering at Calvary Hospital, eventually being honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2014. She continued to volunteer, even when she was being treated for cancer, stopping only in February of this year. She was an enthusiastic bridge player who was a mainstay when it came to organizing the biweekly bridge games. St. Joseph Church was central to her life, which reflected her devotion to her Catholic faith.

Friends are invited to visit at the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home this Tuesday, July 28, between the hours of 4pm and 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at 9:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Bronxville, New York. People requesting organizations to which to make donations in Joan’s honor may consider Calvary Hospital, Bronx, New York, (www.fund.calvaryhospital.org) and Pregnancy Care Center Inc (www.emr4motherandchild.org).

Calling Hours: 4 to 8 pm, Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Mass: 9:45 am, Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at St. Joseph's Church, Bronxville. To Livestream the Mass please go to https://saintjosephsbronxville.org and click on the F in upper right corner.

In Lieu of Flowers: Contributions may be made to either Calvary Hospital, Bronx, New York, (www.fund.calvaryhospital.org) and Pregnancy Care Center Inc (www.emr4motherandchild.org).

Condolences(4)

  1. REPLY
    Anne and Rick Umbrecht says

    We are so very sorry for the loss of Joan. Truly a remarkable woman whose sparkling personality and ready laugh filled any room she entered. Our hearts go out to Jim, the beloved McCaffrey daughters and the entire McCaffrey family.

  2. REPLY
    ted lachowicz says

    Jim
    Cheryl and i are so sorry for your loss. Joan will be in our thoughts and prayers. Please give my condolences to the entire family. Hang in there. Obviously, if there is anything I could do, just ask.

  3. REPLY
    Maggie and Fred DeSimone says

    We had the pleasure of Joan’s friendship as co-volunteers at Calvary Hospital. Our heatfelt condolenvces to the entire McCaffrey clan. Joan was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people we had the pleasure of knowing. She will be greatly missed. God bless the McCaffrey family

  4. REPLY
    MARGOT M STEVENSON says

    I was so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a “star” in our book group and will be very missed. She had a wonderful sense of humor, buoyant spirit and was keenly intelligent especially when sharing strong opinions about certain readings and authors. She was often right and you better believe we listened to her!
    Blessings to Jim and family.

    Margot Stevenson, Bronxville

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