Whitney Pier
It is with profound sadness that we, the family, announce the untimely passing of Joan Elaine Poirrier on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born on December 6, 1963, Joan was a ‘Pier Girl’ all her life. She was the daughter of Lennie and Lois (Palmer) Wludyka.
Joan was a graduate of Holy Angles High School and received a B.BA from UCCB in 1986. Joan worked for the past 30 years for the Cape Breton Victoria School Board in their finance department and spent the last 10 years as Payroll Supervisor. All those who worked with Joan will attest to her dedicated work ethic and acknowledge the pride she took in going above and beyond in performing her duties.
In her younger days Joan was an active member of the St. Mary’s Polish dance troupe. She loved to travel and often told the tale of a trip to Boston with the dancers to preform before the Pope. However, the highlight of the trip was the bus breaking down and leaving them stranded on the way home.
Anyone who knew Joan knew that for her, family was the most important thing. She always put her family’s needs above her own. Even in her time of illness she was taking care of her mother and father. Her children were her greatest pride and joy. She never missed a hockey, baseball, volleyball or soccer game. She never missed a dance, band, swimming or cheerleading competition. When the children were younger, she became involved in their soccer programs by coaching Tim Bits mini soccer and by spending 20 years on the executive of the Whitney Pier Soccer Club as its treasurer.
Joan loved to travel. When the children were younger it was to their many tournaments and competitions. Later she enjoyed attending Blue Jay games and of course she loved to go to Montreal to cheer on the Habs and to do a bit of shopping. She also attended many concerts over the years. But by far her favorite travels were to the Caribbean on any of several cruises she and David went on.
In 2014 Joan’s life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with Mylodyplastic Syndrome. To treat this cancer, she needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Although the transplant was a success the after affects led to dramatic changes in her health. The past seven years have been a rollercoaster ride with some ups but far too many downs. It was the side effects of the transplant that ultimately took her life. The transplant did give Joan enough time to mark many milestones in her family’s life. She was able to see Rhiannon graduate first from high school and then to obtain two degrees (Bacs. and B.Ed ) from CBU. She also saw Marcel attend Acadia University where he earned a Bachelor of Kinesiology and then a B.Ed. She was able to see Marcel marry Holly Sampson in 2017 and then two years later witness the birth of her granddaughter, Annika. Annika has been a source of great joy and endless entertainment for the past two years.
Joan was predeceased by her mother, Lois; in-laws, William and Lillian; special aunt, Judy O’Keefe and her Godfather, Richard Wludyka.
Left to mourn her passing is her father, Lennie; brothers, Fran and Paul (Leah). Left to grieve the most is her husband of 34 years, David who was her constant companion through every step of her journey. Also grieving her passing are her children, Marcel (Holly) and granddaughter Annika, Glace Bay and daughter, Rhiannon (Logan) who lives at home. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews and her closest cousin, Renee. Also left to miss Joan are her three fur babies, her cat, Roxy, Holly’s cat, Rory and Marcel’s dog, Rocket.
As per Joan’s wishes there will be no visitation or service. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family gathering at a later date.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Joan’s memory can do so to the charity of your choice, but she would recommend Every Woman’s Centre or a local food bank. Joan would also ask all those who can, please sign up with the One Match Bone Marrow Program and to donate blood.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
In closing Joan would ask that you share an act of kindness with someone, and she asks you to follow the words of Jackie DeShannon:
“Think of your fellow man, Lend him a helping hand, Put a little love in your heart.”
Online Condolences
Words fail me. My deepest condolences for your loss.
From: Brad Rowe
My sincere condolences to the family for your loss. Joan was an amazing colleague and friend. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.
From: Anne Louise Milker
My heartfelt condolences to David, Marcel, Rhiannon, Lenny, Paul, Francis and family. May her memories live on in your hearts. I will remember her performance smiles , dedication, and her love for her family and friends. Fly high with the angels Joanie and be reunited with Mom.
From: Stephanie (Melnick) Black
My deepest sympathy to the family, may God Bless everyone through this difficult time.
From: Audrey F MacLeod
On behalf of my family, I’d like to take this time to offer my sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Joan’s loved ones. I thought the world of Joan, we all did in our family. Her kindness to our kids growing up playing soccer for the Pier will never be forgotten. Joan would – and did – go to any lengths to help a friend, as I remember breaking down, somewhere between Louisdale and Port Hawkesbury, for a game my daughter was playing, while Joan & Dave coached. Joan got in her car and drove back to where we broke down and picked us up and took us to that game so we wouldn’t be late! That is just one example I could tell you of her selflessness. You never forget things like that; she was a wonderful human being I feel privileged to have known. Love and hugs to her family; she will be missed.
From: Betty Anne & Steve MacPhee (Ellen, Andrew & Joanna)
David & Family
Our most sincere condolences on Joan’s passing. Words can’t properly express the sorrow and loss of your lovely wife. Our thoughts and prays be with you at this time.
Take care & God Bless All.
From: Gary & Paula Kennedy
Dear David and family, we are very sorry to hear of the passing of Joan. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, God bless, Allan and Julia Townsend
From: Julia Townsend
Dear David and family, we are very sorry to hear of the passing of Joan. We all experienced her kindness and are truly saddened. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
From: Joe, Mary, and Margaret MacPherson
So sorry to hear of Joans passing . Our prayers and thoughts are with you and you family at this difficult time
From: Judy & Kenny AuCoin
So sorry for your loss Lennie. May she rest in peace.
A very beautiful tribute to your mom Rhiannon. My sincerest and deepest sympathies for the whole family. Hugs xoxoxo…
Sending sincere condolences, much love, and big comfort hugs to you all!!! I’ve known Joanie since she was a young girl…she was always sooo sweet and kind then and maintained that throughout her life no matter what she was going through! My heart is very heavy for you all as you get through these difficult days. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!! God Bless!!!
Lennie, David, Marcel and Rhiannon I am so saddened by the news of Joan’s death and your loss of such an incredible daughter, wife and mother. I am so glad we had the opportunity to meet Joan and get to know her as she made you feel special and welcomed in her life. So many wonderful memories of our soccer years and the laughs on the side lines with her and of course Lois. I pray the support of your family and friends will help you through your grief. You are all in our thoughts and prayers- Graham, Bernadette, Laura, Mark, Eric and Ian.
My deepest condolances to David,Marcel, Holly,Rhinnon, Logan,and beautiful Miss Annika. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. xo RIP Joan.
My deepest condolences to all the family …Joan was a wonderful person that came from a wonderful family….my thoughts and prayers to u all
So sorry for your loss. Joan was a beautiful lady who loved to help others. Always had a kind word to say, was a very special person to my boys Brad George and David, who spent as much time with your Family as mine. Rest in peace Joan, you will always be remembered as a beautiful person.
David and family- I was shocked and saddened to read of Joan’s passing. She was such an incredible person. Your family fought such a long battle and I hope your many happy memories as a family will provide you with comfort at this time.
My sincere condolences to Joanie’s family and friends . May the many special memories of Joanie bring you comfort at this sad time.
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. May you find strength and comfort in each other and your wonderful memories. Prayers and love to you all at this time.
David and Family. Please accept our sincere sympathy on Joan’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you deal with your loss at this most difficult time. God Bless. Roddie and Judy
My sincere condolences to Dave & Family. Thinking of you all
Joan was such a lovely lady. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Take care
I was so very sad to hear of the passing of Joan. She was one of the kindest people I knew. What an incredible lady she was. She was truly amazing. 💕💕
David and family please accept our deepest condolences o the passing of your beautiful Joan. Monica,Rick and Shailyn Kokoski 😢❤️❤️
To all the family our condolences on the passing of Joan. May sweet memories ease your pain, if even a little bit 🙏🙏
My deepest condolences to all of Joan’s family…I worked with Joan at the school board office many years ago. She was a beautiful lady. God Bless you all and be with you during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person and will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers going out to all of her family. Paul and Sharon, Scott, Nicole and Ashley
So sad to hear this news. Joan was one of a kind. She will be missed by many. My condolences to David and family.
I am absolutely shocked and so saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to Lenny, David, Marcel and Rhiannon. May you all find comfort in all the shared memories and know that you are not alone. Joan was my son’s first soccer coach and she instilled in him the love for the game. Another Pier angel has received her wings. God bless
Sending our deepest sympathy at this time.
Bobby & Doddy Keel
Truro N.S. ( Whitney Pier)
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends.
David, Marcel, Rhiannon and family, I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your lovely wife/mother, Joan. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerest condolences.
Dear Lennie, Francis, Paul, and Family,
Condolences to all of you during this difficult time of loss.
We have wonderful memories of Joan (and family) during the many years of adventures with the Sydney Polish Singers and Dancers.
You are in our thoughts and prayers…..
Take Care
Mary Pierrynowski and Wandzi Pierrynowski
My deepest condolences to Joan’s family. I worked with Joan at the School Board office and she was a special person, devoted to her family, her community and to her work. We shared many laughs over the years and I shall miss her smile. Gone way too soon. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers are with your family.
My heartfelt condolences 💐 to Joanie’s entire family! She always had a friendly wave and a smile when she would see me in my driveway as she passed.She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her..I had that privilege for over 40 years being her neighbour! Fly high with the angels joanie and May God Bless You! Rest In Peace!
David, Marcel and Rhiannon and families. We are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She will certainly be missed by yourselves and the community. May you find comfort and strength in all the lifelong happy memories as you deal with this loss. Leroy and Lorrie.
So sorry to hear about Joan’s passing. She will certainly be missed. Sending all our love and prayers to you Dave, and family XO
So sorry for your loss. May all the memories that you shared help you through this difficult time.
Anne Marie & Donnie MacAskill
I had the privilege of working with Joan at the school board. She was one of a kind! A heart of gold, compassion, kindness. I could go on about the amazing person Joan was. She was a ray of love. Joan was an angel on this earth who is now an angel in Heaven.
Dave, Marcel, Holly, Rhiannon, Logan and granddaughter Annika I am so very sorry to hear the passing of your wife, mom and grandmother Joan. She was such an amazing person, so friendly and wonderful to the kids at soccer. We always had such fun and many laughs watching the games. She will be missed by many. Thoughts and Prayers to you all. Fly High Joan
My deepest condolences to the Porrier family on your loss of Joan, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
It is with heartfelt sadness that we heard of Joan’s passing . Our sympathy and condolences to David and the family. We got to know Joan through the pier soccer program and she was a very kind and wonderful person. So sorry for your loss! Karen and Joe Shea
David, Marcel and Rhiannon, I am shocked and saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. It was always a pleasure when Joan was on the sidelines of a game or working with her through Soccer Cape Breton. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Lenny and family. So sorry for your loss. May Joan rest in peace
So sorry to hear about Joan’s passing. I knew Joan from the School Board Office. I retired last year and just read about it in the paper. My deepest sympathy to the family. Remember the good times that you had, It will help you through the difficult ones.
Rhiannon, Paul, Leah and family, I am sorry to hear off the passing of your mom and sister. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers for the Poirrier family. I met Joan when working at the Board Office, wonderful Lady.
Dear David, Marcel and Rhiannon. Joan was a person that always had a smile, and had a great outlook on life. She was a tireless volunteer, putting in thousands of hours at the soccer field either coaching, helping run tournaments, or cheering on Marcel and Rhiannon. She has been known to have a clipboard close at hand that had everything that was needed.
Joan and David were always the first to step forward to help host national and provincial soccer tournaments, always making sure visitors experienced Cape Breton hospitality.
Joan never stopped. If there was a break between games, she was busy cleaning the grounds, checking on the players and making sure the fields were ready for the next games.
Thank you Joan for everything you have done, you will be sadly missed.
Ken
So sorry for your loss, Lenny, Dave and loved ones. May Elaine rest in peace.
Respectfully
Joe Hollohan
David, Marcel, Rhiannon and Dad Lennie- I am so saddened to hear of Joannie’s passing. She fought a difficult battle for a long time with the support and love of all you. Joannie was one of a kind, a beautiful soul who smiled through the good times and bad. She was an amazing person who touched many lives. Heaven has gained another Angel who will watch over you all. Hugs and prayers.
Our most sincere condolences to David &Family at Joan’s passing.
The loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to have happen; words cannot ease the sorrow that all may feel at this difficulty time.
Paula & I wish to convey our support and hope you find comfort from all your Family & Friends.
God Bless.
Rhiannon and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending my thoughts and prayers.
David and family,
So very saddened to hear of joan’s passing. These past few years were a battle and she gave it everything. We haven’t seen Joan in a number of years but kept up to date through Kenny and Mary. She was often in our prayers. Happy she got to enjoy so many of the family milestones. Our sincere condolences. Rest easy, Joan
On behalf of the members and executive of the Whitney Pier Soccer Club we would like to express our sincerest condolences to Dave and the rest of the Poirrier family on Joan’s passing. She was a valuable member of our soccer community and her contribution to our club and community as a whole was immense. She will definitely be missed. Keeping you all in our prayers. Rest in Peace.
Dave, Marcel and Rhiannon I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She was always a pillar at the soccer field and enjoyed every minute of it. She will be missed. I am glad she was able to witness the life milestones she did, from graduations, to weddings and grandkids. I am keeping you all in my prayers and know that you have gained a very special guardian angel.