Following a short
battle with cancer, Joan Elmira Marie (Harris) Blakeney, daughter of
the late Alexander Harris and the late Ella (Kelly) Harris, wife of
Keith T. Blakeney passed away peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers
Regional Hospital on Monday, September 4,
2017.
Joan was born and
raised in small Miramichi community of Gray Rapids, NB.
This was a small knit community where she interacted
daily with many cousins and developed solid friendships. She moved to
Fredericton following graduation from Blackville Rural High
School.
Joan enjoyed a long
career in her chosen and most loved profession of teaching.
She graduated from Teachers College in 1960 and began her
career at Geary Elementary where wonderful parents had already taught
the children the most important lessons of life – honesty, fair play,
and great work ethic. She taught 32
years, serving as Vice Principal for the last 6 years at Barkers Point
School where the children were a pleasure to work with, along with
supportive parents and a strong sense of community.
While teaching full-time Joan continued with her studies
at the University of New Brunswick achieving her Bachelor of Teaching
(1979) and Bachelor of Education
(1984).
Joan was a longtime
and faithful member of Smythe Street Cathedral along with the New
Brunswick Teachers Association
(NBTA).
Besides her loving
husband Keith of 54 years, Joan was a devoted mother to her precious
children Patricia (Dave) O’Neil and Keith (Brenda) Blakeney;
grandchildren Trevor and Stephanie (John Larsen) Blakeney, Ashley and
Alexander O’Neil; great-grandchildren, Shanae, Jessie, Kody Blakeney
and Karlee Auger; siblings Thelma
(Herman) Sullivan, Burpee (Olive) Harris, Jennie (Reginald) Underhill,
and Harold (Norma) Harris, several nieces and nephews. She is also
survived by loving sister-in-law Anna Woodbury (Robert Muirhead) and
her daughters, Ariane, Bobbie-Lynn, and Holly. Many cherished
friends.
Joan is predeceased
by her parents, her mother-in-law, Mary Patricia (Thompson) (Blakeney)
Woodbury (Russell), brother-in-law, Maurice
Blakeney.
Joan &
Keith built their family home in 1967 where they raised their
children. Over the years
together they made many additions and improvements to create the
family home they enjoy
today.
Joan &
Keith enjoyed numerous vacations in Maine and New Hampshire.
They are big on scenery and loved the coast of Maine and
the White Mountains in New Hampshire. It was nothing
for them to get up in the night and ask the other, “Do you want
to go to Bangor?”
The family wish to
express their sincere gratitude to the doctors (Dr. Amy Russell, her
guiding light when their hearts felt broken), nurses and staff in
the Palliative Care Unit of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital for
their care and compassion during mom’s frequent visits
there.Thanks to Extra Mural for the excellent care and
availability they provided. Special thank you to kindness and special
visits of family and friends which mom was very thankful for the time
spent with them.
Visitation will
begin Friday, September 8, 2017 beginning at 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM in
the fellowship hall of Smythe Street Cathedral, 913 Smythe Street,
Fredericton. A service celebrating the beautiful life of Joan Blakeney
will be held from the same location at 2:00 PM with Pastor Verner
Drost officiating. A private interment will be held at a later
date.
For those who wish
to remember Joan by way of a memorial contribution, the family
suggests donating to Smythe Street Cathedral Spain Mission Trip, The
Pentecostals of Gray Rapids Church Cemetery Fund or to a favorite
charity of your choice.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joan Blakeney – 1941-2017.source
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
avis deces Joan Blakeney – 1941-2017- avis mortuaire Joan Blakeney – 1941-2017