Joan Aileen Stillman

Stillman, Joan Aileen – of Halifax, passed from this life on September 12, 2023 at the Dartmouth General Hospital. Mom fell and broke her hip in early August, not long before her 91st birthday. It was more than she could endure. Also having Vascular Dementia robbed this former feisty lady of her motivation to go forward. She was very tired. I never believed that anything could defeat my very strong Momma. Anyone who has lost a parent or a loved one to dementia will understand how it slowly, silently, steals them from us.

Mom had a long successful career with Veterans Affairs Canada. She completely and thoroughly enjoyed her job and the people of the 14th floor at Queens square and her friend, the late Wilma Jones. She was also chosen to be part of a team from across Canada that wrote the computer training manuals when computers were introduced into their workplace in the early eighties.

When I was a child Mom enjoyed sewing, making us both pretty dresses, she passed that skill and that love on to me. She also enjoyed knitting for her grandchildren and crocheting and, in her retirement, became an avid gardener. Mom had a great witty sense of humour that she kept right to the end.

Much of her retirement time was spent enjoying her mom. There were many road trips around the province and a tour of Newfoundland from Port Aux Basques around to St. John’s. My Grandmother hadn’t been home to St. John’s since she was a girl and had many relatives that the two of them had never met and an elderly Aunt of my grandmothers that was still alive at close to 100. It was a fantastic adventure for both and gave my mom four wonderful cousins, June, Ruby, Sandra and Gloria that became like sisters to her.

Joan Aileen Fenerty was born in Halifax, second of four kids to Morris St. George Fenerty of Halifax and Pearl Marie Dawe of Newfoundland. She is predeceased by her parents, stepfather, Charles Barrett, her brothers, Gordon, George and Jack Fenerty and her husband of 55 years, Fenton Stillman. Also, her much loved granddaughter, Jaime Lynn Shattuck.

Joan is survived by her daughter Sandi (Brian) Norman, Stepchildren Michelle Grace and Bill (Wendy) Stillman and sister-in-law, Elsie (Gordon)Fenerty.

Grandchildren: best buddy Melanie Shattuck (Rob Edwards), Aislinn Norman, Chris Shattuck (Stacey MacKay), Nicole (Mike) Armstrong, Renee (Sam) Hammond, Jenna (Anthony McDonald) Savage, Melissa Savage.

Great grandchildren: Deegan Edwards, Autumn Armstrong, Eleanora McDonald and several nieces and nephews.

Special friend, Judy Gibson and her husband Darrall who shared their friendship and were there for both of our folks whenever they needed a hand with anything. Your love was always appreciated.

We would like to thank nurses Paula and Michelle for the wonderful care of Mom on her final day as well as the rest of the staff of 3 East over the many weeks she was there.

To the staff of Russell Lane, at Lewis Hall, Parkland of Baker Dr., Dartmouth. You are the best! The kindest, most loving and patient people we could have had the good fortune to look after Mom in her final months. She had her crew that always took the time to make her laugh and smile. Their wonderful compassion made her life better and ours as well. You have our endless gratitude. Special Mention to Oscar for two years of kindness to Mom and to Katie Kathleen the beauty queen. Katie, Mom’s cat never liked too many people, but she loved Oscar and Darlene. She tolerated a couple of the other ladies. Everyone else, nope!

Parkland Homecare, Lil and Elizabeth, thank you! You made things easier for me and gave Mom many hours of great conversation, companionship and games of bridge and Chinese checkers for two years. You are very much appreciated.

Cremation has taken place under the care of J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, October 14/ 23 11:00AM until 1:00 PM. Internment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Irving St, Lower Sackville.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia; www.alzheimer.ca/ns. You may donate online or by cheque. Alzheimer Society of N.S., 2719 Gladstone St. unit 112, Halifax, N.S. B3K 4W6