Joan O’Neill

Joan D. O’Neill, 89, Madison, formerly of Greenwood, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday July 1, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Burial was at Highland Memory Gardens.

Joan Barnes was born on April 1, 1933, the daughter of Reginald and Dorothy (nee Volk) Barnes. As a young girl, she attended St. Mary’s Parochial School in Greenwood. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1951 and from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Marshfield in 1954 as a registered nurse. She was united in marriage to Edward B. O’Neill on Aug. 7, 1956. Joan moved from Greenwood 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 kindhearted, 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; her grandchildren: Ryan (Sarah) Zink, Mallory Zink, Danielle (Brady Potterton) Zink, Nolan Estes, Katya Estes and Cameron Estes; her great-grandchildren: Logan Zink, Brayden Zink and Colin Zink; a sister, Kathleen Landini; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; a sister, Marian (Irvin) Hoesly; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Landini.

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.

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