Joan O’N. Foley

JOAN O’N. FOLEY, nee O’Neill, 78, of Hingham MA, formerly of Lexington KY and Wellesley MA, passed away Jan 1 2010. Cherished wife of 53 years of Maurice E. Loving mother of Anne (Robert) Rielly of Leavenworth KS; Mary Kate (Jeff Lucas) of Cambridge MA; Peter (Beth) of Castle Rock CO; Margaret (Rich Rand) of W Lafayette IN; Christopher (Kathryn Tremblay) of Somerville MA; Elizabeth of Lexington KY; the late Rebecca (William Gwiasda) Foley of Chicago IL; Jessica (Bret) Ripley of Lexington KY. Sister of John (Joyce) O’Neill of Rio Rancho NM and the late Alice (Richard) Lewis of Syracuse NY. Proud grandmother of Robert, Patrick and Michael Rielly; Caleb and Elizabeth Lucas-Foley; Sarah, Colin and Megan Foley; Elaine Rand; Sheamus Foley; and Rebecca Ripley. Joan was born in New York City and raised in Troy NY. A born caregiver, she was a registered pediatric nurse, having trained at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany NY and National Children’s Hospital, with further study at Catholic University in Washington, DC. She and Maurice, who had met in high school when they acted in a school play, married in 1956 in Troy before moving to an Hawaiian naval base for three years. Then they moved back to New York State as they continued to raise their growing family, eventually moving to Wellesley MA and later to Lexington KY. After her children were in school, she completed her BS in English Literature in 1985. In the last two years, Joan and Maurice moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham MA. Joan was an accomplished quilter. As an insightful reader of good writing and philosophical thought, she was a leading member of a devoted group of Great Books readers in Wellesley for a number of years. On moving to Lexington KY, she became an active member of the Lexington KY Newcomers book and quilting groups. In both Wellesley and Lexington, she led Junior Great Books discussions in the middle schools. She was a collector of illustrated children’s books, and tried her hand at writing her own children’s books. She was active in St Mary’s Parish in Rome NY, St Paul’s Parish in Wellesley, and Christ the King Parish in Lexington KY. Joan was the warm and loving center of an energetic and enthusiastic home. She was never happier than when surrounded by children. She saw the best qualities in everyone, and her sweet nature endeared her to everyone who knew her. She loved a wink and a good joke, and to the end her kindness and fun-loving approach to life were evident. Joan passed peacefully after a long illness which she endured with her customary strong will and patience. The staff of Renaissance Gardens long-term care facility at Linden Ponds gave wonderful care during her last months. Visiting hours Tuesday, January 5, 5-8pm at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St, Hingham MA. A Celebration of Life will be held at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home at 9am Wednesday January 6, followed by funeral mass at 10am at Church of the Resurrection, 1057 Main St, Hingham MA. Donations in memory of Joan may be made to CARE.