Joan Irene Blakney
Joan Irene
(McGrath) Blakney died at the ProTem Special Care Home on Tuesday,
April 2, 2019, 10 days after celebrating her 100th
birthday.
Born in St. John’s,
NFLD, she was the daughter of the late James and Annie (Cooper)
McGrath. An immigrant to Canada from Newfoundland during the Second
World War, she met Ted Blakney, who would become her husband, in
Moncton when he returned from war service overseas. A homemaker and
mother of three daughters, Joan was cherished by friends and family as
a loving and tender-hearted woman who was always stylish and
dignified.
A natural listener,
Joan was always ready to lend a sympathetic ear and was a peacemaker
in every situation. She was always attentive to her mother especially
during her final years, she was steadfast in her love for her brothers
and sister and their families, and was always there for her
daughters.
Joan loved to laugh
and was the type of person people loved to tease. Her sunny
disposition brightened every gathering she attended. She impressed
both family and strangers with her natural poise and elegance, but was
never aloof. Instead she was unfailing warm and genuinely interested
in people.
In earlier years,
Joan loved going to dances with her beloved Ted, and joined him in
bowling and travelling within the region. When Ted died at age 61, she
became active with golf, fitness classes, swimming and social
gatherings of the Catholic Women’s League. A long-time member of St.
Augustine’s Parish, Joan could faithfully be seen on
Sunday’s at “her pew” until the last few
years.
Joan enjoyed
excellent health and an astonishingly youthful appearance into her
90’s. Determined not to be dismissed as “an old
person” she was famously evasive about her age, invariably
answering, “Age is just a number and mine is unlisted,” when
asked. She was open to adventure and new experiences; travelling with
one or another of her daughters to Charlottetown, Quebec City, and
several times to St-Anne-de-Beaupre. She travelled to Disney World
twice, the second time at 89, and enjoyed both trips immensely. At 91
she travelled with her daughters to Ottawa and Combermere, Ont. where
she enjoyed meeting new friends and even a swim in the river. Joan
loved local trips to Parlee Beach until illness prevented
them.
Joan shared her
Catholic faith with her daughters more by example than with words, and
faced trials and personal loss with courage and
acceptance.
Her family wish to
recognize the outstanding care Joan received from the staff at the Pro
Tem Special Care Home. She was treated with exceptional kindness and
affection, especially during her last days. Home care workers Marielle
and Dale provided compassionate care when Joan was still in her own
home.
Joan will be sadly
missed by her daughters; Judy (Michael) Sullivan, of Shediac, Susan
Blakney of Fredericton and Linda Blakney, of Moncton; as well as by
her sister Betty (Doug) Trueman of Moncton; sister in law, Stella
McGrath; Dan Toner, Bert Nicol; and many nieces and
nephews.
In addition to her
parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ted; brothers, James,
Stan, Gerry and John.
Visitation at
Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) on Thursday,
April, 4, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral Mass at
St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, (corner of Dominion and
Mountain Road) on Friday, April 5, 2019 at 12:00 noon, with
Rev. Allison Carroll presiding. Reception in the church hall following
the mass. Interment will be at Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Dieppe at
a later date.
In memory of Joan,
donations to the Alzheimer’s Society (Dementia), or a
charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated. Online
condolences for the family can be shared
at
www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joan Irene Blakney 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Moncton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick