HERRON, Joan (nee Kelly)
June 25th, 1933 – January 26th, 2019
It is with profound sadness and broken hearts we announce the passing of Joan Herron (nee Kelly) of Vancouver (BC) on January 26th, 2019. Beloved wife of Noel Herron for 57 years. Mother of Sean and Kerry Ann. Loving grandmother of Amanda and Braedon. Joan was the last surviving member of the 10-member family of the late William & Bridget Kelly of Rosemount in Montreal (Quebec). She was predeceased by her siblings Mary (Basil Matthews), Patrick (May/Ethel), Eleanor (Ronnie McNeil), Gerard, John (Eadie), Joseph (Patricia), Doreen, George (Rita) and Anne (Gary Laverdure). Joan especially loved all her in-laws, the late John of Indiana (USA), the late Vincent of Ardara (Donegal, Ireland), Malachy (Julia) of West Midlands (England), Dr. Nancy Herron of St. Louis (Missouri, USA), and Dermot of Ardara (Donegal, Ireland).
Joan held all her nieces and nephews in high regard: Gerry (Ann), Robert (Lucie), Patsy (the late Wally Pearson), Roger (Dayle), Linda (James Reilly), Eileen (Jimmy Sitaras), Franceena (Michel Provost), Will (Verena), Murray (Cathy), Brendan (Nancy), Diane (Jack Romanow), Jason (Doris), Debbie (Doug Bilowus), Diane, Darlene, Darren, Amy (Andrew Miller), Linda (Peter Griffen), Maura (Jim Jolliffe), Joe (Helen), the late Billy Matthews, and the late Delbert Laverdure (Victoria). She also leaves behind many Irish cousins, including the family members of the late Mick Herron of Glendoan/Ardara (Donegal, Ireland), Mary Herron (John Knight), Annie Herron (Gerry Burke), Emily Herron (James Stafford), John Herron (Martha Kelly) and Rose Sweeney (Joe Moran) of Birmingham (England).
She will be sadly missed by her decades-long special friends, Ann Bright of West Vancouver (BC), Diane and Mark Procter of Burnaby (BC), Kim and Dan Marriott of Richmond (BC), Deirdre Rochefort and Heather Mastronardi both of Laval (Quebec). Also, the numerous colleagues she worked with and friends she has played with including church and bingo groups with over the years.
Joan worked in four Vancouver area hospitals including St. Mary’s, St. Paul’s, Mount Saint Joseph and BC Children’s Hospital in their payroll departments and eventually as supervisor in the latter. Joan was an incredibly warm and deeply caring person who brought joy and laughter into all our lives. She unfailingly reached out to those who needed a helping hand. Apart from her volunteering for years in inner-city schools, she and her late sister Ann gave generously of their time and energy to working with, and helping, informal support groups of mentally ill individuals.
Family members have fond memories of frequent visits to Joan’s sister Eleanor’s home in Rawdon (Quebec) and of many lovely summer holidays by the seaside in Old Orchard (Maine, USA).
Joan battled many life-challenging illnesses, from her early teens, and showed remarkable courage and resiliency in so doing. This gave her a deep understanding of the impact of prolonged illness and how to relate to and support others in similar situations.
Joan learned early that it is better to give than to receive and she practiced this all her life. Joan had a great sense of humour, and she brought laughter and joy into our lives.
The family would like to express its deep appreciation to the medical staff of the VGH Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit and the Palliative Care Unit and the wonderful staff and volunteers of the Vancouver Hospice Society.
The family is comforted by the love and support shown to her by friends and relatives.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish, 2881 Main Street, Vancouver, BC on Thursday, February 7th, 2019 at 11am with a reception following the mass in the church hall. Private cremation to follow.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Vancouver Hospice Society online at www.vancouverhospice.org/donate. Online condolences can may be made at www.remembering.ca
Mom, in the paraphrased words of the old Irish blessing:
May the road rise to meet you,
The wind be always at your back,
And the Good Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.
Love you forever Mom & Nana.
The Herron Family