Obituary of Joan Whalen

It is with great sadness, but with thanks for all that she taught them, that the family announces the peaceful passing of Joan M. Whalen (Buckingham) on September 25, 2019.  Joan was born on May 30, 1934 in Saint John, NB and spent her youth in West Saint John, attending St. Patrick’s school and the Assumption Parish.

Joan attended St. Vincent’s Girls High School, the NB Teacher’s College, and UNB and specialized in Home Economics. She taught in numerous District 20 Schools, the NB Community College, and in the Red Cross Homemaker Program.

Joan was an active member of St. Pius X (now Holy Redeemer) Parish for over fifty years. She served on the Parish Council, the Liturgy Committee, and the Eucharistic and Funeral teams. She was a member of the Saint John Area and NB Home Economics Association, and a member of the Marco Polo Quilters Guild.

From the time that Joan married Ed in 1960 her priority was always her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a tremendous cook and baker, a skilled seamstress and quilter, and a gracious hostess. Nobody could ever say that they left Joan's house hungry, in fact, they probably left with a 'take out' of the world's best chocolate chip cookies or blueberry pie. Joan was indeed the heart of her home.

Joan is survived by her four children: Peter (Cathy) Saint John, Michael (Debbie) Bedford, Anne (Ken) Dartmouth, and Ellen Belyea (John) Saint John; grandchildren: Helena, Scott, Laura, Kendra, and Emma; brother John Buckingham (Evelyn); brother –in-law, George Carvell; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Catherine Buckingham (Fleming); sister, Doris Carvell, and her husband of 57 years, Edward J. Whalen.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Joan’s caregivers at the G.E.M. unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Howe Hall then Tucker Hall, at Parkland Saint John, and Dawn Marie Hachey  for their compassionate care of Joan over the past few years as her health declined.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Sunday September 28, 2019 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Holy Redeemer Parish (St. Pius X Church), 316 Somerset Street, on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at St Joseph’s Cemetery. The family has suggested remembrances to the G.E.M. Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the NB Alzheimer’s Society, St. Pius X Church Building Fund, or a charity of the donor’s choice.