Obituary of Joan Pataky

PATAKY (MONAGHAN), Joan Teresa – At St. Joseph’s Hospice, after a valiant battle with cancer and with her loving family by her side, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 11 at the age of 79.  Born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Joan graduated from St. Joseph’s School of nursing in London, Ontario.  Mom nursed for over 40 years, spending her last 30 in Obstetrics, taking care of new moms and babies.  Mom was also a volunteer for 15 years in the Mammography Unit at Sarnia General Hospital.  Joan loved celebrating all holidays, but especially loved Halloween and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family.  Joan also took on the role of “mom” to many special people in her life.  Her favourite passion was to spend time with her family.  Joan was predeceased by her loving husband and dearest friend of 50 years, William in 2004.  Loving mother of Maureen Young (Ray) and children Tania (Alex), Amy (Ed) and Laura, Joanne Pataky (Faye), Monica Stensland and children Joey and Matthew and special friend Carl, Margaret Harpelle (Brian) and children Kurtis and James, and Jane Schinnour (Gary) and children Billy (Kelsey), Jordan and Sarah.  Joan was a devoted "Grandma" to all of her grandchildren.  Also survived by sisters Maureen Cassidy (John), Violet C. Hello (John), Mary Ellen Clark (Bob), Sharon Muir, Kathleen Murray (Sandy), Colleen Renner (Leo), Susan Monaghan-Knott (George), brothers Peter Monaghan (Beverley) and Patrick Monaghan, brother-in-law Stephen Pataky and several nieces and nephews.  She is also predeceased by her parents Leo and Grace Monaghan, brother Norman, sisters Patricia Jones and Eileen Kruger and sister-in-law Virge Pataky and brother-in-law Eoin Muir.  Friends will be received at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. where prayers will be offered at 8:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Sacred Heart Church (Charlesworth at Lecaron Ave., Sarnia).   Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery.  As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice, 475 N. Christina St., Sarnia, ON N7T 5W3.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Joan Pataky in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area