Joan Jubertha Kuno, age 89, of Stratford passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
Born in South Africa, daughter of the late Clifford and Rosetta (Magog) Morton. Beloved wife of Ernest ‘Bob’ Kuno. Loved mother of Marion Kuno, Robert Kuno (Elizabeth), and Kathleen Sears (James). Proud grandmother of Tasmin Kuno; Samantha, Noah, and Caleb Kuno; Kiyanna, Issac, and Eli Wheeler.
Joan arrived in Canada in 1963, to continue her training and work as a Registered Nurse in Toronto. It was there that she met the love of her life and best friend, Bob, and returned with him to Stratford to be married in 1964. Joan continued nursing at Stratford General Hospital, where she was a fixture until her retirement in 1998. She spent most of her career in pediatrics and R.E.C.U, first at Avon Crest for several years and later when the unit moved to the hospital's new addition. Her fondest memories of those years were her patients and her colleagues. It was quite common for her to walk down the street and be stopped by someone who excitedly recalled to her their stay in the hospital as a child, and how much they enjoyed having her as their nurse.
As her dementia progressed, she wasn't able to recall names of her former patients but was just as happy to hear their stories and know that she gave comfort to a child at a difficult time. Joan was one of the first, if not the first, Black nurse at Stratford General Hospital. This strong, beautiful woman blazed a trail for others to follow. Joan was predeceased by her sister Daphne and brother James, and leaves behind many nieces and nephews in Canada, and family in South Africa. Caring for someone with dementia is a team effort, and Joan was so lucky to have the best.
Thank you to all of the marvelous PSWs (too many to list) who cared for Joan over the years. However, a special "Thank you" must be extended to the small, dedicated team from One Care who spent the last few years caring for Joan - Tammy, Michelle, Pam, Vanessa, Emma, and Kim. To one member of this team, Emma, we are forever grateful, for being a pillar of strength and support during the worst morning of our lives. There are so many more PSWs who entered Joan's life, and you are in our hearts. Thank you to the nursing team at Care Partners. Our deepest thank you to wonderful Amy from this team, who cared for Joan with compassion and respect. You are an angel. To Erin and the Memorable Moments team - thank you for your bright light.
Visitation is at the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 4-7pm where the funeral service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:00 am. Following the interment in Avondale Cemetery, a reception will take place in the W. G. Young Funeral Home Reception Centre.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society Huron Perth may be made through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com.
