Mrs. JoAnn Colbert passed away on November 23rd, at the age of 79. JoAnn was a beautiful person, a cherished wife, a nurturing mother, a loving grandmother, a supportive sibling, an amazing aunt, a beloved mother-in-law, regarded professional and a loyal friend. JoAnn graduated from Nursing at St. Elizabeth’s in 1961. The last 35 years of her professional career she worked at the Sydney Family Practice Center with Dr. Murdock Smith. This was the perfect role for her because she loved helping people. She volunteered with the St. Margaret’s Ladies Axillary and many other agencies throughout her life.Her children always looked up to her as someone who could do anything. There wasn’t a craft she couldn’t and didn’t make, or class she didn’t join to further her love of creating things. The majority of her craft time over the last several years was spent with her quilting group and rug ‘hookers’. Those ladies meant the world to her. She loved her Friday night dart league, and always expected to be presented with the worst player award each year. For the last several years, one of the things JoAnn loved most was trips with her girls. She enjoyed cruising and seeing new places. But her biggest joy was her grandchildren and seeing them grow and thrive. She was so very proud of the wonderful people they have grown into, and what they have accomplished. But more important than all of that was the greatest love of her life, her husband Tom. They had a once in a lifetime love and because of that, they have given the most incredible gift they could to their children. Although she had not been well for the last several years, you would never know it. She didn’t let it slow her down or keep her from getting together with her family and most likely the destination was determined by who had her daughter Sue’s fudge on hand or a game of Mexican train. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, JoAnn is survived by her husband of 57 years Thomas, her daughters, Diane Vaught (Cliff), Sue Lanoe (Denis), and Erin Huntington (David). Her grandchildren, Tara Power and Andrew Vaught, Victoria and Christian Lanoe, and Spencer Huntington. She is survived by brother, John (Jane) Monaghan, her sisters Sandra MacDonald (David), and Marion Monahan. She was predeceased by her parents John (Jack) and Florence Monahan, and her sister Sharon (Percy) Colbert. A funeral mass for JoAnn will be held at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 2657 Grand Mira South Rd., on Wednesday, Nov 27 at 11:00 am, Fr. Paul McGillivray will officiate. A private family committal to follow. Guests are invited to a reception and a celebration of JoAnn’s life at St. Margaret Parish Hall in Grand Mira South after the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Margaret Parish or to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and doctors on 3-B and in the Palliative Care unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Hebb, Dr. Lada, Dr. M.A. Campbell, Dr. A.F. D’Intino, Dr. Sampson and the other hospitalists who cared for her. Words of comfort may be sent to JoAnn’s family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
