Joan Geraldine Mills
1923 - 2018
Joan Geraldine Mills
Visitation Information
Visitation
No Visitation
Service Information
Service Date
Thursday January 3, 2019
Service Time
11:00am
Service Location
St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Requested Charity
Hope Cottage
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Mills, Joan Geraldine, age 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 23, 2018, at her home in Antigonish.

Born in Halifax, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Sebastian Young and Elizabeth (Corneally) Cooper.

Joan completed a B.Sc. in Nursing from St. Francis Xavier University. She started her training at St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing, Toronto, and completed training at the Halifax Infirmary School of Nursing.

Joan married her husband, John, in Halifax and later moved to Antigonish. After raising her family, she returned to nursing at St. Martha’s Hospital as a Special Duty Nurse and subsequently taught in the Nursing Diploma Program.  Joan later joined the Faculty of Nursing at St. F. X. University as an Associate Professor.

Following several years of teaching, she was appointed Executive Director of the Registered Nurses Association of Nova Scotia (RNANS) in Halifax until her retirement in 1990. During her nursing career, she was described as an outstanding leader, a dedicated professional, and a role model for nurses.

She has been awarded an  honorary life membership with the Atlantic Region of the Canadian Association of University Schools of Nursing (ARCAUS) to honour a dedicated nurse in recognition of her contribution to ARCAUS and nursing; honorary membership in RNANS, which is awarded to nurses who have rendered distinguished service to the profession of nursing or the professional association; honorary membership in the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS), presented to Registered Nurses for outstanding contributions to nursing in Nova Scotia over the course of their nursing careers; and the Certificate of Recognition for faithful years of service to St. Martha’s School of Nursing; and Lifetime Membership in St. F. X. University Alumni.

Joan loved to travel and visited numerous countries.  During her retirement she enjoyed oil painting and created over 100 canvases. Joan attended classes at the Atlantic School of Theology, served as co-leader of St. Pius the 10th Journey Group, was a lay reader, a choir member, and worked with the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) for over 25 years. In 2016 Joan returned to Antigonish where she lived with her daughter Kate. She enjoyed music, gardening, and reading.  Joan was especially happy spending time at her cottage with family and friends, where she viewed beautiful sunsets.

Joan is survived by her children, Barbara, Ottawa; Joe (Claire), Calgary; Jean, Halifax; Doug (Lynda), Antigonish; Kate Bechler, Antigonish; Trish (Pat) Hamilton, Halifax; grandchildren, Alana, Michael, Sheena (Chris), Lindsay (Darren), Zachary (Lindsey), Isaac, Erin (Josh), and Lauren; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Lucas, and Keller. Joan is grateful for the many friends in her life, especially Duncan MacDonald, Antigonish; Dawn Purcell, Halifax; and Patsy Wallace, Malignant Cove.

She was predeceased by her husband, John D. Mills, and stepfather, Capt. Gerald Cooper.

The family thanks everyone for their prayers, love, and support. We are grateful for the compassionate care of VON and Palliative Care.

Cremation has taken place and at Joan’s request, there will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ninian’s Cathedral on January 3, 2019, at 11 a.m., Fr. John Barry presiding.  Burial in Sherbrooke at a later date.

Family flowers only, please.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Cottage, Halifax through their website www.hopecottage.ca/donate or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish.  Online condolences:  www.clcurry.com

 

Joan Geraldine Mills