Joell Kunath

Rye, N.Y. - Joell Kunath, most recently of Rye, N.Y., passed suddenly May 26, 2024. Joell is survived by her daughters, Victoria and Abigail; son-in-law Brian Hughes; grandchildren, Penelope and Robert; nieces and nephews: Eric and David Kunath, Sara Taylor and Phil Kerewich; cousin Tory Blackford; and sisters- and brother-in-law, Denise Kerewich and Roberta and Karl Kunath.

Born in Chicago in 1939, she graduated from Northwestern University with a nursing degree and trained as head surgical nurse under renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Loyal Davis. Her close-knit crew of fellow nursing students remains intact to this day.

Joell's passion for history called her to graduate school in the 1970s, and then onto the staff at the Chicago Historical Society. She, Bob, and family relocated often due to his climbing the ranks in the world of broadcasting until they achieved their dream, a move to the Big Apple. Living in Larchmont, N.Y., they took to the waters of Long Island Sound, sailing and adventuring up and down the coast in the summers. Working in New York, Joell quickly transitioned from museum docent to head exhibition specialist in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon retirement, she and Bob resided full time in Stonington, where they had full access to the views of the Fishers Island Sound and venturing about the local waters and beyond.

Joell assisted Bob integrally as a founder of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club in 2002, and contributed on a multitude of committees, including single-handedly decorating the clubhouse with her special dose of holiday flare. She cherished the life and times of Borough dwelling with volumes of friends who all enjoyed her bright smile, demeanor and remarkable taste in fashion. Joell took the courageous and bold move to start a fresh chapter at the ripe young age of 80, moving to The Osborn in Rye, N.Y., where she could be closer to family and discover a new life. She wholeheartedly embraced her Osborn circle of friends, lecture groups, committees and book clubs. A voracious consumer of information, she really could compete with the best concerning world and art history, food customs and little-known facts.

The family wishes to thank her closest friends from every decade and corner of her diverse and well-traveled life. Joell had an amazing knack for curating celebrations out of almost every occasion and she will shine bright in our memories perpetually. Donations in memory of Joell may be made to the Humane Society of Westchester in lieu of flowers.

A service for Joell will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home, 767 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. A celebration honoring Joell will be announced at a later date.