Joan D. O'Neill

Joan D. O'Neill

April 01, 1933 - June 26, 2022

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Obituary

Madison - Joan D. O'Neill, age 89, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 1, 1933, the daughter of Reginald and Dorothy (Volk) Barnes.


Joan graduated from Greenwood High School in 1951 and from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Marshfield, Wis., in 1954 as a Registered Nurse. She was united in marriage to Edward B. O'Neill on Aug. 7, 1956.


Joan moved from Greenwood, Wis., to Madison in 1954, where she began her first nursing job at Quisling Clinic in Pediatrics. After marrying Edward, a U.S. Air Force Career Master Sargent, in 1956, Joan started a nursing position at Truax Field Air Force Base. Following her time at Truax, she completed the remaining 23 years of her nursing practice at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Geriatrics. She was compassionate, always helping others, and lived her life to make a difference in the lives of so many. Her spirit was filled with selflessness and love for others, which will forever be remembered.


Joan was kind-hearted, as sweet as can be, and loved everyone around her. The simplest pleasures in life brought her the greatest joy. She enjoyed knitting, baking, and spending time with family. There was never a visit where you weren’t greeted with a big hug and platter of cookies. Joan was an amazing mother and “Nana” to her grandchildren. She cherished the holidays that brought her family together and never took one for granted. Joan brought out the good in everyone and lit up a room with her smile. She was an aspirational woman and her love reached so many.


Joan will be dearly missed by her daughters, Mary (Randy) Zink and Eileen (Ray Cooley) O'Neill Estes; grandchildren, Ryan (Sarah) Zink, Mallory Zink, Danielle (Brady Potterton) Zink, Nolan Estes, Katya Estes and Cameron Estes; great-grandchildren, Logan Zink, Brayden Zink and Colin Zink; and sister, Kathleen Landini; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends who she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; sister, Marian (Irvin) Hoesly; and brother-in-law, Ralph Landini.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dennis Catholic Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday July 1, 2022, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420




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Anonymous
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Wishing you peace while you hold on to the memories that you carry forward of the time you spent together. With love and hugs,
EF
Eric Fleming
Other •
Our condolences and prayers to Joan and her entire family. She was a consistent and mission driven supporter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and our community services including the Food Pantry. Joan's late husband, Ed, was once our president and a long-time St. Dennis SVdP Conference member. Thank you Joan for sharing all of your gifts. You made this world a better place for so many. Eternal rest grant unto Joan, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May Joan rest in peace.
NW
Nancy Wiltz
Other •
I love this woman like she was MY mom. I viewed her as my adopted sister. I lived with her (and Mary and Eileen) from the Fall 1964 to Spring 1965. I was married in August of 1965 and the girls were in our wedding. Joan was the most giving person I ever met. She was a devout Catholic, going to Mass religiously every Sunday, even when she was not allowed to take communion. I had the highest regard for her beliefs and her courage. She had much to do with me taking instruction and becoming a Catholic myself. I am forever grateful that the girls called me before her death. Some miracle allowed her to talk energetically for a good 15 minutes. Later the girls told me, as soon as she hung up, she fell asleep. God also held her death off so that I could get her flowers sent; something that she enjoyed! I know that she is in heaven now. Nancy W. Wiltz
JB
Jessica Bauer
Other •
Condolences to Jo’s family. She was a dear friend of my mother in law Peggy Bauer. They worked together at Colonial Manor and remained friends to the end. So many fun stories were shared over the years. Especially liked the “nurses luncheons” they gathered for, for many years after retirement. It was hard for Jo when Peggy passed in 2015. I was with her when she said her last goodbye to Peg. Sweet lady. I know they have reunited, friends forever. Jessica Bauer

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