JoAnn Eisel

She was born on June 1, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to William and Ethel (Bray) Essex.

As the oldest, JoAnn did her best to look after her five brothers. At first that meant getting them out of trouble as they grew up in Bethpage, N.Y. As the siblings moved to all parts of the country, she brought them together through phone calls, holiday dinners and now, a celebration of her life.

She graduated in 1964 from Plainedge High School in North Massapequa, N.Y. She moved on to Pilgrim Nursing School where she met Robert Eisel.

They married on Dec. 4, 1967, in Bethpage, N.Y.

The two continued along the path of helping others. Their nursing prowess brought them to volunteer and start a clinic in Siguatepeque, Honduras as medical missionaries, and then to Monte Vista, Colo., to open a hospital. That followed up with a stint in Sarasota, Fl., before finally settling in Denver. JoAnn spent the last 23 years of her nearly 50-year nursing career at Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital in Aurora, retiring as the manager of the brain injury unit. Her expertise gave her the opportunity to lecture at conferences throughout the country.

JoAnn was strict, but fair when it came to the care of her patients. She still made time to talk to and work with her staff when they ran into problems - both professional and personal.

Along the way, Robert and JoAnn raised three children – Terry, Regan and John, and then lovingly indulged their six grandchildren.

Their home was a sanctuary for friends, family and others who needed a helping hand. From the beginning, JoAnn and Robert's home was a place for celebrations and get-togethers. And when life got tough for people, they had a place to stay, recover, and grow.

In her spare time, JoAnn enjoyed reading, relaxing, spending time with her family and traveling.

She is now reunited with her parents, friends and other family who she has missed dearly.

Missing her will be her five brothers: Tom (Donna) of Massapequa, N.Y., William (April) of Northglenn, Colo., John (Freda) of Jacksonville, Fl., Steven (Marianne) of Bradenton, Fl., and Daniel (Lynn) of Massapequa, N.Y.

Continuing her legacy are Therese (Anthony) Gonzales of Denver, Regan Rosales of Denver and John (Ashley) of Aurora, Colo., and six grandchildren: Christopher Rosales, Daniel Gonzales, Melani Rosales, Michael Rosales, Madeline Eisel and Zander Eisel.

And finally, she is survived by her husband, Robert.

Her memorial mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, at Risen Christ Catholic Parish in Denver, where she attended with her husband. Her burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Foundation at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.