Joan Suvay Pelrine (Sponagle)

Port Hawkesbury, NS

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Joan Suvay Pelrine (Sponagle), age 86, of Port Hawkesbury, who passed away peacefully at her home on June 15, 2026.

Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Joan was the beloved daughter of the late Ernest and Mary (Young) Sponagle.

Over the course of her working life, Joan spent many years in the Central Sterilization Room (CSR) at several hospitals and also worked for years as a maintenance worker at the Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre (S.A.E.R.C.). A proud member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43, Port Hawkesbury since 1988, she served as Sergeant-at-Arms (2001–2002) and as President of the Ladies Auxiliary. In 2011 she was honoured with Lifetime Membership in recognition of her many years of dedicated volunteer service. Her late husband, Joe, was himself an ordinary member of Branch 43 for thirty years. Joan was also a devoted member of St. Joseph's Parish, Port Hawkesbury.

Joan is survived by her sisters, Jaevaius MacKenzie, Dartmouth  and Susan (Blair) McCormick, Glace Bay; her sister-in-law, Marie Pelrine, Havre Boucher; her sons, Paul (Shelly) and Daniel (Katharine); her daughters, Sandra, Kimberley (Thane Sherrington), and Pamela (Rob Paddock); her grandchildren, Nicole (Jordan), Kyle, Dalton, Riley, and Andrew; and her great-grandchildren, Alexis, Evelyn, and Chase.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph Michael Pelrine; her parents, Ernest and Mary Sponagle; her sister, Brenda, in infancy; and her brother, Eldon.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 22, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations in Joan's memory may be made to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43, Port Hawkesbury.

Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com