Mary Joan Sullivan

The family of Joan Sullivan sadly announce her death on October 22, 2022 in the QEII Emergency Centre in Halifax, after a lengthy illness with heart disease. Born in Halifax in 1939, she was the daughter of Captain Roy Sullivan and Agnes Hayes.

She is survived by her loving sister Maura Ann Sullivan, and her sisters-in-law Irenaeus Sullivan and Lorraine Driscoll, as well as 11 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and great nephews, and 1 great- great nephew. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Donald, Stuart, and Paul.

Joan attended St. Thomas Aquinas School and St. Patrick’s High School. She was a graduate of Dalhousie University and enjoyed a 31 year career as a teacher at Oxford School in Halifax. Joan was a dedicated educator who enthusiastically taught from grades Primary to Nine. She was always so pleased to meet former students on the city streets, shops, and local beaches, where she consistently remembered their names and families and was delighted to learn about their lives.

Joan was a lifelong learner who treasured reading, doing the daily crossword and other puzzles, traveling, and meeting new people. She gave many hours of volunteering at St. Patrick’s Church in Halifax working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and refugee committees. Joan was a caring sister, aunt, great aunt, and friend. Her immense kindness, generosity, and acceptance of everyone along with her notable sense of humour were greatly appreciated by so many people.

Joan always remembered everyone’s birthdays, and special milestones and communicated frequently from letter writing to texting with the young and old alike. She was so happy to be a part of a big, extended, multi-generational family and happily attended numerous graduations, birthdays, weddings, holidays and family get-togethers, notably at the beloved family cottage in Herring Cove where she spent her childhood summer months.

Cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Parish at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church on Oxford Street on Thursday, October 27th at 10am. A private graveside service will take place for the family at a later date. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Waegwoltic Club, Coburg Road, following Mass.

Donations can be made in memory of Joan at the Red Cross Society of Canada. The family would like to thank Dr. Maya Kovacs, and the dedicated physicians and nurses at the Halifax QEII Emergency site as well as the paramedics.