Joanne Edith (Jordan) Davenport

Joanne Edith Jordan Davenport passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. She was born in Auburn, NY on October 17th, 1940 to the late Earl Westfall Jordan & Blanche Bernice (VanDyne) Jordan. Joanne spent most of her life on the farm she built with her husband, Raymond Ellis Davenport, who predeceased her in 2012. She loved their land and the beautiful valley surrounding it in Brooktondale, NY where they raised their three children. Recently she has resided in Cortland, NY.  She had an innate curiosity about everything, especially clothing design; family farming; reading; land stewardship; antiquing; collecting baskets, teddy bears, and moose; travel; music; and model railroading. She was a loving and kind wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. In recent years she enjoyed road trips and camping with her partner, Vic Tucker. Over the years she was passionate about many different volunteer activities. She was an active member of Cornell Reunions, planning several of them. Together, Joanne and Ray were dedicated ailurophiles (people who love cats) enthusiastically caring for a community of abandoned cats and kittens. She also volunteered for many years with the Literacy of Volunteers of Tomkins County.

Joanne graduated from Candor High School and retained many friends from that time. Joanne attended Cornell University studying Education and Design, she later had a forty-year career at Cornell serving in many different capacities, most notably as Director Office of the Councils, Director of Conference Services, and Transportation Services Office Manager. Joanne traveled extensively internationally for her work at Cornell, including the Netherlands, Indonesia, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, and Canada. “Joanne was one of a kind. A transformative leader who stood her ground for what was right. A woman of principle. Always with a smile. Her support was a difference-maker in creating opportunities for generations of Cornellians. She was one of "the good guys.” (Bob Everett)

Joanne is survived by her children, Lynda Ann Davenport and Douglas Jordan Davenport (Kirsten Gay Davenport) and her grandchildren, Jordan (Angela Serino), Skylar and Sierra Davenport, and Desiree and Lindsay Davenport.  Joanne is also survived by her siblings Charles Leroy Jordan and Lorraine Leona (Jordan Eugene Hodge) Slate; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son Steven Raymond Davenport.

Joanne loved to laugh, had a quick wit, and rye view of the world. She was a very loving person who cared deeply for friends and family.  “I will always remember you as a soft-spoken and gentle soul. A wonderful daughter and gracious sister. ” (Julie Jordan)

Joanne’s life will be celebrated by Rev. Phil Jordan on Tuesday, January 21st at 10 a.m. at Bangs Funeral Home.  Friends may call before the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Brookton (formerly Quick) Cemetery, Brooktondale.

Instead of flowers, donations in Joanne’s memory may be made to Cornell Botanical Gardens, 215 Garden Ave., Robert’s Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853. Attention, Christy Agnes.