Obituary of Joan Yvonne Farrell

Joan Yvonne Farrell, 78, Pine Tree, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family.

Born in Sydney, she was a daughter of the late Reginald and Madeline Elizabeth (Henno) Rice. Joan was an outside supervisor with Frank H. MacDonald Elementary School for 30 years. She was a member of the former St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Thorburn. Joan enjoyed spending time with her husband, Gerald, at their camp at Warwick Mountain. She was an avid “hockey mom and grandma” and enjoyed all things “hockey”! Joan possessed an impressive collection of porcelain dolls and crystal figurines. She served as a foster mother for 15 years, during which time helped many children.  For Joan, “Life has changed; not ended!”

Surviving are her daughters, Juanita (Chuck) McKeigan, McLellans Brook; Sherry (Mike) Richards, McLellans Brook; son, David (Tiffany) Farrell, Clinton, P.E.I.; foster son, Jason (Crystal) Farrell, Westville; grandchildren, Ethan, Cameron, Bailee, Emily, Kayden, Dominic and Scarlett; sisters, Patricia MacIntosh, New Glasgow; Lousie Robson, New Glasgow; brothers, Eddy Rice, Toronto, Ont.; George Rice, Milton, Ont.; Stephen Rice, Edmonton, Alta.; Reginald and Douglas Rice, Prince Edward Island; sisters-in-law, Gwen Rice, New Brunswick; Helen (Don) MacDonald, Antigonish; Jane Farrell (Gerry), Churchville; brothers-in-law, Bernie (Shirley) Farrell, New Glasgow; John Farrell, Pine Tree; Harold MacDonnell, New Glasgow; Bill Dewtie, Thorburn; many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased her husband of 53 years, Gerald Vincent Farrell; brothers, James, Ronnie and Chester; two siblings in infancy; sisters-in-law, Isabel Winfrey, Beatrice MacDonnell, Marie Dewtie, Theresa Farrell and Vie Farrell; brothers-in-law, Douglas and Francis Farrell; nephew, Mark Dewtie.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 24 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held   11 a.m.  Saturday, March 25 in the chapel with Father Thomas MacNeil presiding. Interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Thorburn.

Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the IWK Foundation.