Love you mom so very much and then some!!

Leslie and I saying our final goodbyes before heading back to California. I know she is happy to be at the final resting place she requested, next to her son, sister, and husband, but I truly know and believe she is even more happy to be in heaven with all those that went before her.

Such a beautiful celebration of a wonderful life!! Thank you Mom for bringing us all together to celebrate YOU!

We celebrated Mom and many special memories at El Fenix restaurant in Dallas, Texas. This was one of her favorite restaurants to visit on all of her trips to Dallas. The room was full of special stories, fond memories, laughter and a closeness I will always cherish. I am sure it was just what Mom/Gran/Aunt Joan wanted for us, to be happy and carry on all our family traditions.

So many family and friends took the time and traveled to be there for Mom, even in the Texas heat. Mom had gotten permission from the cemetery to plant the 2 trees behind us in 1971. She would be so pleased to see how they have grown and provided us with shade. Everyone said how much Mom meant to them and that there was no place they would rather be. So very grateful!

After they closed and sealed the vault, we all placed a rose on top and said our own goodbyes privately. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but at the same time the most beautiful.

Brent Turner said a special prayer for mom and all of us.

We had a picture of Mom with her Hawaiian lei and Dallas Cowboy t-shirt. I wrote an eulogy but could not read it, so my very dear cousin, Sally read it and added some special scriptures as well. It was beautiful.

It was such a special blessing to have so many friends and family at the gravesite for Mom! I am sure she was smiling down on all of us there for her.

The street was lined with cars from friends and family at the burial site where she had visited on every trip to Texas. She would place flowers on the graves of those family members that had gone before her.

"Message in a balloon!" We sent our messages to Mom/Gran and know she was there to catch them!

We toasted to Gran/Mom with friends and family. Sean led the toast.

Celebration of life in RSM on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
One of her favorite things to do was crossword puzzles. She has one to finish, and the blue lei represents a very special celebration in Hawaii for her 90th birthday.

Funeral Mass at St. Kilian's Church in Mission Viejo Friday, July 18, 2025. A beautiful Mass with her grandson, Sean, giving the eulogy, grand daughter Leslie and grand daughter in law Carly presenting the readings, and Sean giving the general intercessions. Father Brandon said the mass and blessed her ashes while we celebrated the mass with prayer and special music.

Funeral Mass at St. Kilian's Church in Mission Viejo on July 18, 2025

I have sent this note to others with the passing of their mother, and now I find myself comforted by these very special thoughts. 
Your Mother.............
is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your fist love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space... not even death.

A prayer Mom read every night before going to sleep. Father Hughes said the funeral mass for her son, Douglas Ray, and sent this prayer to her shortly afterwards.

"The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains.
For every joy that passes something beautiful remains.
May memories comfort you." Father M.D. Hughes

This was us on our way to Hawaii flying first class for Gran’s 90th birthday! Such an amazing trip!

Hi everyone! Someone sent us this beautiful plant and there was no name on it. Please let us know if that was you! Thank you so much! And thank you to everyone for adding photos, videos and or sweet messages to Gran’s page! We love you all!

Sweet Aunt Joan. She was always the smiling, happy face at the lake and family gatherings. She was also as tough as nails when tragedy struck. She was a blessing to us all. She gave that bright smile and personality to her wonderful kids, and will be dearly missed.  She is at home now with my best buddy, Ray, and her brother, my dad Buddy and her sisters. 
Love you, Aunt Joan.

A Prayer of Gratitude for my Mother's Love
Father God, even in my sorrow, I want to thank You for the precious gift of my mother's love, just like she thanked me every night for taking care of her! She was a reflection of Your kindness, patience, and grace in my life. Thank You for the years I had with her and for the countless ways she touched my heart. Help me to honor her memory by living a life that reflects the love she poured into me. And Lord, let me find comfort in knowing that one day, I will see her again in Your presence. Amen.

Meeting Bailey in the hospital, April 2019

Sweet aunt Joan … never failed to bring the fun, smiles and laughter.

What a family! This is why I wanted a big family. Yes, there were hard times. They lived through the Great Depression, World War II, marriages, babies, vacations, holidays and tragedy...always together...supporting each other with grace and humor.  So many of my fondest memories revolve around these people and their families. Just listening to their laughter late at night at the lake (after all of us kids were in bed) while they played cards around the dinner table was a treasure.

Frank, Blondie, Joan and Margaret (Aunt Tutu).  As soon as they got unpacked, the chairs were set up. Time for lake drinks!

Nana and Aunt Joan. They were both great at celebrating life.

Aunt Tutu, Aunt Joan, Mom and Dad. These four (and their dogs) traveled to the lake in the camper countless times together. ❤️

Aunt Joan is in the red shorts. As far back as I have memories of the lake, there are memories of Aunt Joan.

Summer of 2024. So thankful we got to spend some quality time with Aunt Joan.

She loved having us all at the dinner table to celebrate a birthday in the family. She will always have a special place at our dinner table.

Mom helped get her mother to Hawaii for her 90th birthday, so it was always my goal to continue that tradition! We enjoyed a beautiful week in Hawaii celebrating her 90th birthday! She was joined by her her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as myself for a week of special memories and celebrations.

Mom's favorite flower, the Yellow Rose of Texas, but she also grew beautiful pink roses right outside her window. She would always say that her mom would be so proud of those roses!

Mom (Betty Canepa) with Joan at Mom's 50th birthday party in 1986. They are together once again.

We used to go to church, go get our hair done, and then out to lunch, usually one of her favorite Mexican food Restaurants!

Mom never had a harsh word for anyone, and every night before she would go to sleep, she would thank me for everything I did for her.

Mom often dressed in blue. Not only was it her favorite color, but it was also the closest to Dallas Cowboys' colors!:)

My mom, dad & Joan will be sharing many amazing stories together now.

The best Aunt in the world, I am blessed to call her my Aunt. She loved her fur babies her family she loved pictures she had many of them.  RIP Aunt Joan you will be so missed more than you know. We love you always Dori and Tim ❤️❤️🙏🙏

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Martha Joan Grierson

26 octobre 1933 – 10 avril 2025

Fairhaven Memorial Services

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