Joan Evelyn Cormier

1964 - 2013

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Joanie Evelyn Cormier, age 49, at the VG Site, QEII, Halifax, on September 3, 2013. Born in Montreal in 1964, she was the elder daughter of Eva-Maria Phillips of Halifax and Max Phillips (Sharon - stepmother) of Bedford. In addition to her parents, our angel Joanie was survived by her husband Albert of 19 years and their children Isaac (age 16) and Evelyn (age 14), all of Halifax; her sister Karen and brother-in-law John Gillighan of Enfield and their children Katie and Robyn; her mother-in-law Celeste Cormier and father-in-law Raymond Cormier of Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick; her brother-in-law Dan Cormier of Waltham, Massachusetts; her sister-in-law Linda Weir, her husband Trevor Weir, and their daughter Emilee, all of Kettering, Ohio; and her stepsister Sara Murray of Calgary. In addition, she is survived by a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins including her special aunt Tini Bates of Vancouver and her favourite uncle Ian Phillips of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Walter and Bernice Phillips, of Hubbards, Nova Scotia, and her maternal grandparents Karl and Erika Erdmann of West Green Harbour, Nova Scotia. Joanie graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Mathematics in 1986, and she was awarded the Medal for the highest academic standing in Mathematics. She received an NSERC scholarship to study at Dalhousie University, after which she was employed by the Nova Scotia Department of Health as a Research and Statistical Analyst. In 1995, she and Albert moved to Abu Dhabi in the UAE as teachers. After the birth of her first child, she and Albert returned home to Nova Scotia, and she settled into the role of mother of two children and homemaker, which brought her great joy. Joanie was a wonderful mother and friend who was always there to provide loving advice and wisdom to all of those who were blessed to know her. We will always remember her passion for doing New York Times crossword puzzles, completing difficult sudokus, and for her love of reading. Her witty sense of humor, her ability to help others, and her love of cats will also be remembered with deep fondness. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the ICU units at the Halifax Infirmary and VG sites for providing wonderful and compassionate care to her in her final days. Cremation has taken place under the direction of JA Snow Funeral Home on Lacewood Drive in Halifax. There is no visitation upon her request. A private family service and committal will be held at a later date. If desired, donations in Joanie's memory may be made to the Plan Canada (formerly Foster Parents Plan). Condolences and words of comfort may be sent to the family by signing the guestbook at www.dignitymemorial.ca/ja-snow-funeral-home.

No flowers, by family request.