Joan Monica Brooks

It is with the utmost sorrow that Joan’s family announce her passing on Monday, June 26, 2017 in the V. G. Hospital surrounded by her family. Joan was born in Newfoundland, the oldest of ten children born to the late Eileen (Keough) and James T. O’Reilly

Joan graduated from the School of Nursing in St. John’s, Newfoundland (Sisters of Mercy). After three years of nursing in St. John’s, she transferred to Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax and then worked for 24 years at the IWK Hospital from where she retired with many happy memories. One of the highlights of her career was assisting in the separating of co-joined twins.

Joan was a member of Saint Benedict Church where she served as a lector. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League for over 40 years holding many executive positions and enjoyed her visits to Hope Cottage.

Joan enjoyed spending time with her family, bowling, playing cards, loved reading and watching the Pittsburgh Penguins play. Her compassion for others and her “quirky” joke-telling will be missed.

She leaves to mourn the light of her life, children, Daniel Mark (Sherryl); daughters Angela Susan “Angie” (Stefanie) Brooks and Colleen Marie (Sam) Jarvis; grandchildren, Erica, Monica, Dorian and Ashley and great-grandchildren Liam, Brody and Bella-Rae. Joan is also survived by her brother, James P. (Yvonne) O’Reilly, ON, sisters Sheila O’Reilly, Cathy (Gilles) Arseneau and Patricia Bockasten, BC and Eileen (John) Burlington, AB, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Brooks, her sisters, Claire (in infancy), Brenda Kenney, Maureen Wolfenbarger and brother, John O’Reilly.

Visitation on Monday, July 3rd from 2-4 and 7-9 in J.A Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 4th at 10:30 at Saint Benedict Church, 45 Radcliffe Dr. Father Michael Grace officiating. Flowers would be appreciated as Joan loved gardening or donations in her memory to the Halifax Children’s Wish Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.

Thank you to everyone for their concern, care and support not only to Joan but to her family as well. A very special thank you to Mom’s best friends, Art and Roseann (Mr. & Mrs. Rice) for always being there as well as the Palliative Care team for going above and beyond in their care of Mom and to Pepsico, Costco Wholesale and the Canadian Forces Military Warfare Center for their compassion and kindness shown during Mom’s illness.