At age 68, Joanne L. Neu passed away on January 19th, 2026, at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY.
She was born July 10, 1957, to the late Reginald “Reggie” and Mary Lynn.
Joanne is survived by her two children, Devlynn (Belisarius Welgan) Neu, and Killian (Caroline) Neu; her brother Christopher “Chris” Lynn; and her grandchildren John and Grace Neu.
In years past, Joanne was an active member of 4-H and had a passion for advocacy, which led her to participate in events like the Million Mom March in 2000. She was known for her work as a bus driver for the Pittsford School District, as a personal care aide for people with disabilities, and as an events staff member at the Memorial Art Gallery. She was passionate about making the world a better place. During her time at the Memorial Art Gallery, Joanne was the inaugural recipient of University of Rochester’s Meliora Award, a prestigious award that recognizes staff members whose work performance and dedication exemplify the University’s motto, Meliora or “ever better, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement, learning, discovery, and making the world a better place.
Joanne enjoyed reading, watching crime dramas, spending time with friends and family, staying current on the latest pop music hits, and potentially above all, her cat(s). She was a fierce advocate for anyone that may be considered an “underdog” or “othered”.
Family and friends may call from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Saturday, January 24, at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. CLICK HERE for a map to the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pet Pride in Joanne’s memory. CLICK HERE to donate online.
