Following a short battle with cancer, Joan Elmira Marie (Harris) Blakeney, daughter of the late Alexander Harris and the late Ella (Kelly) Harris, wife of Keith T. Blakeney passed away peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on Monday, September 4, 2017.
Joan was born and raised in the small Miramichi community of Gray Rapids, NB. This was a close knit community where she interacted daily with many cousins and developed solid friendships. She moved to Fredericton following graduation from Blackville Rural High School.
Joan enjoyed a long career in her chosen and greatly loved profession of teaching. She graduated from Teachers College in 1960 and began her career at Geary Elementary School where wonderful parents had already taught the children the most important lessons of life - honesty, fair play, and a great work ethic. She taught 32 years, serving as Vice Principal for the last 6 of those years at Barkers Point School where she found the children were a pleasure to work with, along with supportive parents and a strong sense of community. While teaching full-time Joan continued with her studies at the University of New Brunswick achieving her Bachelor of Teaching (1979) and Bachelor of Education (1984).
Joan was a longtime and faithful member of Smythe Street Cathedral along with the New Brunswick Teachers Association (NBTA).
Besides her loving husband Keith of 54 years, Joan was a devoted mother to her precious children Patricia (Dave) O'Neil and Keith (Brenda) Blakeney; grandchildren Trevor and Stephanie (John Larsen) Blakeney, Ashley and Alexander O'Neil; great-grandchildren, Shanae, Jessie, Kody Blakeney and Karlee Auger; siblings Thelma (Herman) Sullivan, Burpee (Olive) Harris, Jennie (Reginald) Underhill, and Harold (Norma) Harris, several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Anna Woodbury (Robert Muirhead) and her daughters, Ariane, Bobbie-Lynn, and Holly. Joan also leaves behind many cherished friends.
Joan is predeceased by her parents, her mother-in-law, Mary Patricia (Thompson) (Blakeney) Woodbury (Russell), and her brother-in-law, Maurice Blakeney.
Joan & Keith built their family home in Maugerville in 1967 where they raised their children. Over the years together they made many additions and improvements to create the family home they enjoy today.
Joan & Keith enjoyed numerous vacations in Maine and New Hampshire. They loved beautiful scenery and in particular the coast of Maine and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. It was nothing for one of them to get up in the night and ask the other, "Do you want to go to Bangor?"
The family wished to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors (in particular Dr. Amy Russell, a guiding light when their hearts felt broken), nurses and staff in the Palliative Care Unit of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital for their care and compassion during mom's frequent visits there. Thanks also to Extra Mural for their availability and the excellent care they provided. Special thank you for the kindness and special visits of family and friends. Mom was very thankful for the time spent with them.
Visitation will begin Friday, September 8, 2017 beginning at 11:00 AM and continuing until 1:00 PM in the fellowship hall of Smythe Street Cathedral, 913 Smythe Street, Fredericton. A service celebrating the beautiful life of Joan Blakeney will be held at the same location at 2:00 PM with Pastor Verner Drost officiating. A private interment will be held at a later date.
For those who wish to remember Joan by way of a memorial contribution, the family suggests donating to Smythe Street Cathedral's Spain Mission Trip, The Pentecostals of Gray Rapids Church Cemetery Fund or to a favorite charity of your choice.
Online condolences and the sharing of memories may be expressed through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com