Obituary of Joanne Rita Beaton

Joanne Rita Beaton

Port Hawkesbury/New Waterford

Age 80, of Port Hawkesbury passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 with her loving husband, Ron, at her side. She was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ellen Milley (Deveau) of New Waterford.

The eldest of thirteen children, she literally dedicated her life to family. This devotion began by helping her mother raise her twelve siblings. Later as a full time homemaker and mother to her own children Rhonda Veniot (Mike) and Sheldon Beaton (Stephanie) whom had her constant attention and care.  As her children started their own families she became an invaluable caregiver again and a doting grandmother to Rory (Gracie), Molly and Shamus Beaton of Port Hawkesbury and Addie and John Veniot (Zoe) of Kamloops, BC. Later in life, she and her siblings provided loving care for their mother, providing her a peaceful passing at home surrounded by family. The arrival of her new great-grandson, Remi Veniot on January 02, 2024 symbolized the circle of life and brought her joy and comfort at a time when it was most needed.

Joanne is also survived by sisters, Linda (Ron); Jeanette; Laurie (Dave); Florence (Isabel); Marina (Ernie) and by brothers, Freddy (Mary); Steven (Tina) and Weldon (Bev). She was predeceased by Mary (in infancy) and her beloved brothers, Ronnie; Glen and Joey (Darlene).

Situated in Port Hawkesbury, Joanne’s kitchen was an oasis for family and friends, and even friends of family and friends travelling between New Waterford and Halifax. A quick pee break most often became a full course meal served with dessert and tea. Joanne was a life-long learner and had an array of interests, most notably oil painting and wood-working which produced many aesthetic and functional gifts for loved ones to cherish.

Joanne will be most deeply missed by her loving husband Ron of 62 years. Ron and Joanne met at a New Waterford dance when she was 15 years old and he 17. They have remained inseparable from that time on and have danced in each other’s arms right to the end.

Joanne’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Jeanne Ferguson for her dedicated support in understanding and living with progressive supranuclear palsy (psp), Dr. John Chaisson, Dr. Collins and to Gail MacKeigan and the staff at Richmond Villa for their care of Joanne. Thank you to Ron’s brother and sister-in-law, Cam and Ada Beaton and to Florence and Isabel for their support throughout Joanne’s illness.

At Joanne’s request there will be no visitation. A funeral service will take place in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, with Deacon Berkley Guthro officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com