Joan Elizabeth Dempsey

Joan Elizabeth Dempsey passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on November 22nd, 2015. She was 81.

Born in Halifax on June 25, 1934, she was the eldest daughter of Laura and Peter Sutherland. She moved to Herring Cove at age 12, where she met the teasing young man who would become her loving husband. Joan and Daniel raised eight children and were married for 59 years.

Left behind are her children, Michael (Anne Marie) Dempsey, Kieran (Ron) Pinson, Nancy (Robin) Feetham, Susan Dempsey, Madelaine (Rob) Maynard, Maureen (Dave) Smith, Adrian Dempsey, Lori Anne (Jeff) Burke; grandchildren, Amy (James Raven) Dempsey, Danny (Jami Brown) Dempsey, Jenna Maynard, Carley Maynard and Ashley Maynard; step-grandchildren, Derek (Kelsie Baker) Smith and Alex Smith; sisters, Helen (Sonny) Doubleday and Elaine (Terry) Lennox. She was predeceased by her parents and sister Norma (Gerald) Marchand.

As a young mother, Joan was often seen heading down to the landwash in Herring Cove with a gaggle of kids in tow – her own and more. She was a strong and confident swimmer, happy to stay in the water all day. She enjoyed tea and card socials with Nanny Dempsey and her sisters-in-law, and the occasional Children of Mary bus trip with friends.

Joan was a celebrated cook with an encyclopedic knowledge of the various likes and dislikes of everyone she loved. She never asked what your favourite meal was because she never had to; she just knew, and it would appear, without fuss, in the form of a glazed ham dinner with pineapple on the table, or a fresh chocolate cake in a Tupperware container on the back counter. Her own favourite was lobster; she could have eaten it for every meal.

Joan enjoyed crossword puzzles and breezy summer afternoons hanging clothes on the line in perfect symmetry. She loved sitting on her front porch watching ships come and go from Halifax Harbour. She looked forward to Sunday trips to Nancy and Robin's camp on Grand Lake, where she swam and barbecued with her children and grandchildren.

She was quiet by nature, but she could surprise you with her sharp tongue and quick wit. She loved to debate. She was a diabetic who had secret stashes of chocolate hidden all over the house, and if you caught her in the act she'd raise a daring eyebrow. She was happiest singing carols at Christmas and kept high standards for the annual holiday tree. A recent one, not up to par, was declared to be "like half the darn forest in my living room." Except darn may not have been the word she chose.

A beloved "Nana," Joan leaves her grandchildren with fond memories of Saturday morning bacon and sweet toast, elaborate Easter baskets, $20 bills stuffed into their pockets and the comforting sound of her shuffling down the hall in slippers.

The family would like to thank Glenna Thornhill and her palliative care team, whose support allowed Joan to remain in her home; in particular, Kim, who was a comforting presence in her final weeks.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Nov. 25th from 2-5 pm in J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax.

Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26th in St. Paul's Church, Herring Cove, with Father Alfred Eshun, and a reception to follow at St. Paul's Church Hall. A family burial will take place after cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Paul's Church.