Mrs. Joan Stackpole

Joan Stackpole, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2015, surrounded by loved ones. She was born Margaret Joan Dukowski on June 21, 1929, in Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the only daughter of Kathryn and L.J. "Duke" Dukowski. Joan had three brothers, Jack, Bert, and Jim. Upon graduating high school, Joan attended nursing school in Vancouver, Canada. Joan took her first nursing job in Honolulu, HI, where she met and married her husband, Eber, within six months of their first date. After being married in Vancouver, they moved to California, and eventually settled in Fresno, CA, where they raised six children, Paul, Don, Kathy, Lynn, David, and Pat. Joan worked for many years as an RN at Saint Agnes Medical Center as an ICU nurse.

Upon retiring, Joan devoted much of her retirement to serving her community in various ways. She read to children at Stone Soup, brought Holy Communion to the sick, volunteered her time at Willow Creek nursing home, and visited women in prison. Joan and Eber also spent much of their time traveling throughout the world. Together they traveled throughout the United States, northern Europe, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Egypt, and Africa.

Sadly, Joan suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002, and later developed Alzheimers Disease. She was lovingly cared for by her husband, Eber, for several years until his passing. Despite many trials, there were constant examples of love, care, humor, and support that carried us through this difficult time. Regardless of the circumstances, Joan never lost her sense of humor nor her sweet disposition. Joan was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She is greatly loved and will be dearly missed. We would like to thank the staff at Bella Vista; and more recently Oakmont Memory Care for the care and concern they showed for our Mom during this past year. Also, thanks to Ann Monahan, and the team at St. Agnes Hospice for all their help and support. Joan is preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Eber Stackpole. She is survived by her brother, Fr. Jim Dukowski; and her children, Paul Stackpole and his wife Dolores, Don Stackpole and his wife Brenda, Kathy Floyd and her husband Keith, Lynn Bremer and her husband Tim, David Stackpole and his wife Myra, and Pat Stackpole and her wife Dawn. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.