Joan Keating
November 30, 1939 – February 10, 2021
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Born and raised on Bell Island, NL, Joan Keating (nee Metcalfe) died peacefully at her home in St. John’s, NL on February 10, 2021, aged 81. She is predeceased by her parents Leonard and Margret and brothers Jim and Robert and sisters Maureen and Madeline. Left to mourn with fond and loving memories is her loving devoted husband and caregiver of 56 years Charlie and her son and daughter, Jim (Kim) and Charlene (Bill Henderson) and grandchildren, Karoline, Ava, Madeline, Parker, and Griffin. She also leaves to mourn brothers Gordon, Bernard (Ann Marie), Edward, Blair (Loretta), Tony (Marie): her sister Cynthia (Ted), and a large circle of fantastic nieces and nephews.
Joan spent her working life as an educator. Earning her teaching certificate at the age of 17, she would assume the vocation she was most associated with from 1966-1987 at the neighbouring St.Pius X Girls and Boys Schools on Elizabeth Avenue where she was Vice Principal and Principal for the majority of those years. She then became Vice Principal of Holy Heart of Mary High School before ending her career as Principal of St. Peters in Mt. Pearl in 1993. Joan touched and shaped the lives of thousands. In retirement you could surely expect to find her surrounded by former students for a serendipitous chat in the walkways at the mall. It was in those encounters where she learned of her former students accomplishments that she enjoyed the most.
Joan was also a wife, mother and grandmother who gave unconditional fierce love and you always knew she would be in your corner. She was a soulmate to Charlie, the guiding light to her childern and the source of endless hugs to her grandchildren. She could seemingly all at once fill a room with laughter, captivate its curious and command its mischievous. As family matriarch she was the rock that all would cling to in time of trouble and circle in times of joy. She loved music and travel and the company of dear friends. As Alzheimer’s tried to weave its unpredictable path through the fibres of Joan’s closest relationships she emerged time and time again as the one giving the lessons never ceding the lectern – to the end.
Joan Keating B.Ed, M.A, M.Ed., cremation has taken place.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021 at St. Paul’s Church, Newfoundland Drive, at 10:30 a.m. with Inurnment to follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.
Donations in Joan’s memory can be made to The Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joan Keating 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Torbay, Province: T-N