WELSH, Joan Elizabeth (Nee: MacDonald)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Joan Welsh of Lesterdale, formerly of North Riverside, Guysborough County passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 2nd, 2025 at St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish.
Joan was the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret E. MacDonald, North Riverside.
Joan graduated in Nursing (2nd highest in a class of 35 and the only married student) from the Halifax Infirmary in 1970. She worked as a nurse for five years at the Guysborough Memorial Hospital (GMH) and then went on to further her education as a lab, x-ray and electrocardiogram technician. Upon completion, Joan returned to GMH to work in those departments for several years. A lifelong learner, she went on to study Psychology and Counselling at NSCC, Pictou Campus, graduating with honours in Community Studies. Joan returned to Nursing at GMH and retired in 2014.
An active volunteer for her church and community, she was a member of the Guysborough County Hospital Board; Chedabucto Health Care Centre; Melford Terminal Liason Committee; Guysborough Municipal Landfill Site Liaison Committee; Family/ Patient Advocate with the Health Authority; Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. Patrick's Parish, Guysborough Intervale.
Joan is survived by her best friend and soulmate of 64 years, Basil; her children Sharmaine (Mike) Shea, Lesterdale; Shauna (Dr. Morrie) Mendelson, Grand Bay, NB; Shawn (Alana Turnbull) Welsh, Dartmouth; her grandchildren Arielle Mendelson, Tristan and Hudson Welsh; her sister Lorraine Scott, Stoney Creek, ON, her nieces Christal (Angelo Unelli) Scott, Hamilton, ON and Chantal Scott, Beamsville, ON and grand nephew Michael Urbshas, Beamsville, ON.
Also survived by brothers and sisters in law; many nieces and nephews by marriage.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers John, Frank, and sister Margaret; favourite uncle John Marr and cousin Lawrence Marr.
Visitation in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish on Thursday, January 9th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Guysborough Intervale on Friday at 11:00 am with Reverend Anthony O’Connor presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.
Donations in memory of Joan may be made to Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or Guysborough Food Bank. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com