Joan Feehery brought joy to our world each day. Her loving, selfless, humble nature together with a gratitude for the blessings and challenges she faced, gave her a certain strength and an appreciation for God's grace. She was a shining example of joy and love to us all.
Joan was born in Fresno, California to Benjamin and Dorothy Howell and is survived by her sisters Dorothy Mathews and Barbara Parris and brother Charles “Brent” Howell. Joan grew up in the small town of Taft, California and the pursuit of her career in art and interior design eventually brought her to Tucson, Arizona where she met and married her late husband of 62 years, Leo Thomas “Tom” Feehery.
In 1951 Joan and Tom moved to Houston with their infant son Tom and began a new life in Texas. She so loved Texas but always had a deep affection for “her ocean” and California.
Joan is survived by 9 of her 10 children; Leo Thomas “Tom” Feehery III, Paul Joseph Feehery, Peter Howell Feehery, Mary Kathleen Halblieb, Michael Charles Feehery, Matthew John Feehery, Timothy James Feehery, Virginia Joan “Ginger” Shunka and Dorothy Elizabeth Feehery as well as twenty-two grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren whom she cherished and loved. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Leo Thomas “Tom” Feehery and daughter, Margaret Ann “Peggy” Shoemate, twin sister of Mary Halblieb.
Joan’s faith and family were important to her and she devoted her life to both.
After years of nurturing her children, Joan pursued a successful interior design career and years later, after the loss of her daughter, Joan continued Peggy’s legacy with Liturgical Design, involving her close friend Ruth Latz with whom she had a business, The Godmothers, creating baptismal gowns. Together they made priestly vestments for churches around the country and world. Joan’s creative vision and ability to bring concept to reality were two of her greatest gifts.
Her love and devotion were a shining example to family and friends alike. She was always generous with her time and charitable of others. All will miss her dearly.
Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at Earthman Funeral Home 8303 Katy Fwy, Houston with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayed at 6:30 p.m. and the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church, 7809 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, Texas with a reception in the church hall directly after.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Walsingham Church (Vestment Replenishment).
