Joanne Marie Schum

Joanne Marie Schum - Rochester Cremation

July 18, 1963 -July 12, 2024

Joanne Marie Schum transitioned to her heavenly home with family and friends at her bedside. Joanne endured a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. As a sister, friend, aunt, and partner, she was taken from us far too early.

Joanne was a 27-year double-lung transplant survivor and a six-year lung cancer survivor. She was forever indebted to her donor family for blessing her with an extra 27 years of life.

Joanne was the author of “Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation” and “Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation, More Journeys”. These books compiled stories of lung recipients from around the world. In addition to the Facebook site, “Taking Flight with New Life”, Joanne gave voice and encouragement to so many.

Joanne took great pleasure in working at the Webster Public Library.

She loved planning her family “Schumcations”. Having her close and extended family together brought her much joy.

Joanne was generous to a fault with unconditional giving, compassion, and love. She brought comfort and hope to so many with her strength and resilience. She valued her many friendships and would do anything to help a friend. She loved to laugh!

The family wishes to recognize the undaunted professionalism, expertise, and compassion of the medical community. Joanne was particularly grateful for the loving care of Dr. Robert Schwartz. We are also grateful to the University of North Carolina Medical Center at Chapel Hill and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Without these caring professionals, Joanne would have had far less of a chance at life.

Joanne’s final days were spent in the loving care of the staff at the Advent Hospice Home.

Joanne is predeceased by her parents, George and Katherine Schum and her two sisters, Mary Lou Allocco and Roseann Schum.

She is survived by her partner, Mitchell Radcliff; siblings, Dolores (Stony) Lohr, Noella Schum, Karl (Debbie) Schum, Trudy (James) Pellman, brother-in-law, Ed Allocco. In addition, she is survived by her aunt, Sister Mary Rose Schum, and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Memorial Mass which will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Motherhouse Chapel on Thursday, July 18, at 10 a.m. The Chapel is located at 1437 Blossom Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Advent House, the Sisters of Mercy, or the Just Breathe Foundation.

38 Condolences

  1. Mary on July 16, 2024 at 5:18 pm

    May she rest in the arms of the Lord

    May her family find comfort in her memories. I spoke to her once or twice .my daughter also was double lung transplant receipient due to Cystic Fibrosis and later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She passed in 2020. Joan was giving me input on cancer treatment centers.

    • Cheryl DiFrancesco z on July 16, 2024 at 7:51 pm

      She was a friend and client for many years. She wrote me into her first book. My heart breaks…..

      • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:05 pm

        Thank you for being such a precious friend to Joanne.

    • Donna Norris on July 17, 2024 at 7:56 pm

      Joanne was a remarkable person who made so much of her shortened life. What a privilege to have known her and your family.

      • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:05 pm

        Thank you, Tarrington Rd neighbor.

    • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:03 pm

      So sorry about your daughter, Mary.

  2. bernadette stukas on July 16, 2024 at 5:29 pm

    Sorry 😐 for your lost

    • Hope Carson on July 16, 2024 at 7:42 pm

      Joanne was a very positive friend to all. The knowledge that she shared with others about lung transplant was unimaginable. So sorry for your loss.

      • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:08 pm

        She helped so many!

    • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:07 pm

      Thank you, Bernadette.

  3. Nicki on July 16, 2024 at 5:42 pm

    This is such sad news. My heart goes out to her friends and family.

    • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you, Nicki.

  4. Karen Gledhill on July 16, 2024 at 5:43 pm

    Oh I am so sad. So very sad. I knew her many many years in the transplant community and it does not seem possible. My prayers are with you all.

    • Dolores Lohr on August 13, 2024 at 2:12 pm

      Thank you, Karen.

  5. Paula Baker on July 16, 2024 at 5:49 pm

    Joanne was so helpful to me and others in the early days when we had kids born with cf. she was always loving and helpful to others.
    I am so sorry for the loss of this special lady. May the peace of the Lord which passes all understanding be with you and yours now and forever. Amen.

    • Paula on July 16, 2024 at 11:12 pm

      She inspired me to push my girls forward and I have 2 beautiful cf daughters age 25 and 29 still doing it!! Thank you for all your stories and advice. Spread your wings and fly to heaven

  6. Kammy Catchman on July 16, 2024 at 5:52 pm

    My heartfelt condolences to Joanne’s family and friends. I loved reading her posts- they were very uplifting! I pray that she is able to enjoy eternal peace and that God brings comfort to her family and friends.

  7. Jason Worlwy on July 16, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    Joanne was a warrior! She was so kind to my late daughter Rayni when she was a little girl. I will miss her deeply!

  8. Sherry Thompson on July 16, 2024 at 6:52 pm

    Joanne gave so much to so many. She was loved and respected for her care of others. She will be missed by so many. Much love and condolences to her family who meant so much to her.

  9. Penny L. Sayles on July 16, 2024 at 6:58 pm

    Joanne was a kind and cheerful person; we met shortly after my Kidney transplant in 1998 at the Rochester TAO chapter meetings, and later part of our team that attended the Transplant Games of America. My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

  10. Regina Pappagallo on July 16, 2024 at 7:21 pm

    So sorry for this family’s loss. Being the spouse of a heart transplant 13 years out I can appreciate her love of life and gratitude. Thanks to our Merciful God, all things are possible. Praying for a wonderful, supportive family

  11. Bill/Otto Bruno on July 16, 2024 at 7:42 pm

    Joanne and I went to school together and then worked for Career Development Services at the same time. She was always kind and caring. Just a truly good person. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Her life may have been too short but what a positive impact she made!

  12. Renee Fahrner on July 16, 2024 at 7:54 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with Joanne’s family. Joanne was a long time Facebook friend & we shared a lot of personal growth with each other. So sorry to hear this news. Rest In Peace, my dear friend.

  13. Colleen Griffith (friend of Mary Lou) on July 16, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    My sincere condolences to everyone.

  14. Mary Jo Fenyn on July 16, 2024 at 8:10 pm

    Oh my…..all of us who loved and so admired Joanne are so saddened to hear of her passing. She and my daughter were CF buddies many years ago as they spent time together as patients at Strong. Then their journeys were similar bad they both received their double lungs at UNC. My daughter only got seven years from her lungs but Joanne and I remained FB friends. We even wrapped gifts together as volunteers! She was so much fun to be with! My condolences and blessings go out to the whole family and her huge circle of friends. I know Dr. Bob will be deeply saddened also.

  15. Bonnie Dirr and Mike Dirr on July 16, 2024 at 8:17 pm

    We were so saddened to hear the news about Joanne. She was a true warrior and an inspiration to our Susy who succumb to chronic rejection 16 years ago. We met before Susy’s first transplant (she had 2) and Joanne was an endless treasure of information about Chapel Hill. Where to eat, where to shop, where to live. That was so helpful. We exchanged Christmas cards and she always included a sweet note. We hope her friends and family find peace and comfort in each other through this difficult time. Our most sincere sympathy. Bonnie and Mike Dirr

  16. Anita Ainsworth Whelan on July 16, 2024 at 8:22 pm

    I very

    I am so very saddened to about Joanne. She was such an inspiration to me when I was first translated 18 yrs ago and like alot of others I too was in her first book.
    She will be a huge loss not only to family whom she loved dearly but her friends and acquaintances throughout her powerful life.
    May God rest her beautiful soul.
    My deepest condolences to everyone.R.I.P. Joanne 🙏🏻 🤲 ❤️

  17. Kristy on July 16, 2024 at 8:31 pm

    Read her first book while waiting for a double lung and liver transplant due to cystic fibrosis. It was very helpful for me during a very stressful and emotional time. I am now 18 years post!! She was an amazing woman and inspiration. Fly free friend.

  18. Bonnie on July 17, 2024 at 4:18 am

    Prayers to family and friends. JoAnne located the man who got my brother’s lungs. I will forever have a place in my heart for her. Rest easy. Thanks for your friendship

  19. Jenny Paxson on July 17, 2024 at 7:13 am

    Joann was an amazing person. She was compassionate and always had to listen to my struggles even though she had her own to go through. We loved chatting about estate sales. She had a great smile and laugh. I will truly miss her and the light she brought to this world.

  20. Diane Coe on July 17, 2024 at 9:18 am

    I worked with Joanne over 30 years ago at the YMCA. She was an amazing person-so strong. My condolences to her family and friends.

  21. Ann McMullen on July 17, 2024 at 12:39 pm

    As a member of the Cystic Fibrosis care team at URMC, I cared for Joanne and her sister Mary Lou over a number of years. The Schum girls were both wonderful women who found joy and happiness amid a lifetime of challenges with their health. Joanne was a gentle, kind, and loving daughter, sister, and friend to many. Her life was full of “mountains to climb” and she managed to both climb them and to reach out to many to provide solace and support . She truly fought the good fight and has now finished the course. May she rest in peace. in HIs care.

    • Dolores Lohr on July 17, 2024 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you, Ann. Joanne thought so highly of you. Dr. Bob suggested I try to get in touch with you, but I couldn’t “find” you. Glad you saw the obit.

  22. Jo-Anne Wilson on July 17, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    I’m very moved reading Joanne’s incredible story. My heartfelt condolences go out to Joanne’s family and friends.
    With love and prayers …

  23. Kimberly Jackson on July 18, 2024 at 7:26 am

    Joanne we have known each other since our transplant and you was the one I looked for guidance during all the many years we are blessed with. I was so proud to have my story included into both your books and having the same wonderful surgeon Dr. Egan. When I couldn’t find out if I was the first patient with my lung disease PCD you was the one who found sweet Maryann and introduced us and I was so grateful to have another warrior to talk about our many issues of being post transplant. I was so devastated when she passed away now just like you in the sweet arms of our Lord. I will be praying for your family and the sisters that I got to meet when we occasionally seen each other at our checkups at UNC. Sending my sincere condolences to all the people who like me will miss you. Happy heavenly Birthday my dear friend may you be singing with the angels and flying high with all the butterflies. Sending elbow kisses to you. ❤️😢

  24. Corinne St. Martin on July 19, 2024 at 9:23 pm

    Joanne was bright light in my life and to many. She will always be an example of courage and positivity…. for always making the best of it – no matter what was handed to her. She was grateful every single day of additional life her new lungs gave her. She kept surviving and thriving thru every health challenge. She made such a positive difference in my life and her memory will continue to do so. I miss her and am forever grateful for her friendship, care, smiles, love & support. I will channel Joanne whenever I need courage & a reminder to embrace every joy-filled moment of life. 🦋 Her family and her partner are in my daily prayers and especially in my heart in the times I miss her the most. We are all sad and missing her together. She was that impactful to so many ❤️

  25. Cathleen Freihofer on July 25, 2024 at 8:00 pm

    I was shocked to learn of Joanne’s passing. I’m a fellow transplant survivor and have appreciated her wisdom and advice over the years. She was so positive. Condolences to her loved ones. She will be missed. 🤗

  26. Kori on August 1, 2024 at 11:50 am

    Joanne was such an inspiration. So caring and willing to share. She will be greatly missed, but has truly left in impact on my life and in our CF Community.
    Grateful to have her book. 💜

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