Joan Ellen Pearson

Joan Ellen Pearson

June 2, 1956 – November 5, 2020

 

Joan E. Pearson was born June 2, 1956, in Omaha, to Timothy and Eleanor Parks.  She lived a happy life, with her parents and brother, Don.  She met her high school sweetheart James R. Pearson at Peony Park, and married him on June 7, 1980.  She had two beautiful children, Ben and Lindsay.  She taught for OPS for 28 years, and earned her Master’s Degree in Education.  She loved teaching, and the friendships she gained through the years.

She enjoyed spending time anywhere with her husband Jim, children, and eight grandchildren, but poolside was her favorite happy place.  She was so proud to be their “Nonnie”.  Always showering them with hugs, kisses and kind, gentle loving words.

Joan was adored by so many, and considered a mom to everyone.  She always had a listening ear for anyone who wanted to chat.  She was encouraging, accepting and loving to everyone.

Learning about Joan’s diagnosis 19 months ago, didn’t break her spirit.  She thrived!  She came to every grandchild’s sporting event, pool party, get together, with a smile on her face, cherishing every moment she spent with her loved ones and grand babies.  We are so grateful for these times we shared together. She will be missed deeply.

Preceded in death by parents, Timothy and Eleanor Parks; and grandson, Everett Schrunk.  Survived by husband, Jim; children, Ben (Michaela) and Lindsay (Ryan); grandchildren: Lucy, Leo, Lincoln, Lily, Silas, Monroe, and Foster; and sibling, Don Noel.

VISITATION following CDC guidelines: Sunday, November 8th from 5pm to 7pm, at the West Center Chapel followed by PRAYER SERVICE at 7pm. FUNERAL SERVICES: Monday, November 9th, 11am, at St. Stephen the Martyr Church (16701 S St.).  Luncheon immediately following in the Parish Center.  GRAVESIDE BURIAL: Following Luncheon, family and friends will lay her to her final resting place at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Elkhorn.

For those unable to attend in person, a Live Stream of the funeral will be available online.

To view a live broadcast of the Service and Graveside Services, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the homepage.

 

 

18 Comments

  • Connie Wickham Posted November 6, 2020 6:58 am

    To Joan’s Family, I had the pleasure of working with Joan for many years. She was such a knowledgeable, kind, caring, compassionate woman. Her devotion to her kids and staff at school was second to none. I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Mary Burcham Posted November 6, 2020 10:09 pm

    I WAS PRIVILAGED TO WORK WITH JOAN AS WELL! SHE WAS ALWAYS DEVOTED, FUN AND A BRIGHT LIGHT TO OUR DAY!

  • Robert w ELDER sr Posted November 6, 2020 11:10 pm

    I was lucky enough to have been Joans classmate starting in Kindergarten at Westbrook and through our school years. I was never real close to her but back then all the kids knew everyone. She seemed to be a wonderful mother and grandmother and its sad she has passed but God obviously had a plan for her in heaven and maybe needed a few more great teachers. I sent her a text the last week when she was in hospice. I pray she was able to see my message. RIP Joan from a fellow Westbrooker.

  • Jane Roley Peterson Posted November 7, 2020 7:16 am

    Pearson family, I am so sorry for your loss. I grew up with Joan and have many wonderful childhood memories of Joan and her family. May your own special memories help you during this difficult time. I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • CHARLES E LEE Posted November 7, 2020 8:34 am

    I was blessed to know the Parks/Noel family starting in 1963. And of course Jim as he and Joan started dating. Joan and her brother Don-who was my best friend-were part of most every day lives. Our mothers were best friends. Joan was the bright spot for anything and always eager to join us , even playing all sports behind Westbrook Junior High. You could see at a very early age, she was someone special. She was! She excelled at everything in life; loving family, friends, and work. She still shines, and will, forever in all our minds. Charlie Lee

  • JOHN S. BRADLEY Posted November 7, 2020 8:36 am

    Joan and I were schoolmates, and then reconnected on Facebook. She was a very nice person and a great family wife/grandmother. RIP Joan

  • Peggee Marcano Posted November 7, 2020 9:34 am

    There are so many people that Joan touched and was taken to soon, so very young. May Joan rest in Peace…

  • Chris Moats Posted November 7, 2020 9:39 am

    I worked with Joan at Bancroft and when I read the obituary about how encouraging, loving and excepting she was of everyone I found myself shaking my head yes. She had a way of making you feel like you were her best friend. She exhibited joy, and gratefulness. She was someone who knew how to live in the moment and I know how much she loved Jim and Lindsay and Ben, their spouses and her grands! God bless you all As you navigate the days ahead without her presence. May God’s love and hers surround you all at this time.

  • Joan Ellsworth Walker Posted November 7, 2020 4:43 pm

    Joan and I began our friendship back when we lived down the street from each other. She was 4 and I was 5. Since we were both “Joan”, our families called her “Parksie” to eliminate the the name confusion. We would alternate weekends to spend the night at each other’s house. After she moved out west, I would enjoy playing with Joan and her Westbrook friends as did she when staying at my place in her old neighborhood in Minne Lusa. As the years rolled by quickly, it didn’t seem long until she was a bridesmaid in my wedding and a few years later, I was one for her when she married Jim. (I was with her at the Peony park pool (beach) where she met lifeguard, Jim, for the first time. Love at first sight.)
    Joan was possibly the sunniest, happiest person that I have even known. Her obituary has it just right. The amount of love and affection that she gave was returned to her many times over.
    May God Bless all of you.

  • Laura McVey Posted November 7, 2020 8:41 pm

    I knew Joan from OPS and our tech meetings. She always had a smile . She was always great to share ideas. I retired several years before her and followed her family love on FB. God has a wonderful angel! She will be missed by all that knew her! So sorry for your loss.

  • Laura McVey Posted November 7, 2020 8:45 pm

    I knew Joan from OPS we taught at different schools but enjoyed our tech meetings. She always had a smile and was always great to share ideas. I retired several years before her and followed her family love on FB. God has a wonderful angel! She will be missed by all that knew her! So sorry for your loss.

  • Rosanne Fritz Posted November 8, 2020 7:57 am

    While we only reconnected recently on Facebook, I remember Joan as being one of the best cheerleaders at Westbrook Jr. High….and a nice person! I’m so sorry for your loss.

  • Bob Sortino Posted November 8, 2020 10:22 am

    I was Joan’s former principal at Bancroft School. I have many wonderful memories of Joan just as your family has of her. She was always a student oriented educator who brought out the best in every student she worked with. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. She helped me with so many Tech questions and was always available to help here fellow staff members. She will be missed but not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

  • Joyce Edson Lude Posted November 8, 2020 10:34 am

    Joan’s Mother Ellie was my Father’s (Ken) sister, making us cousins. Our other cousins were quite a bit older (yes–Don) so we were the little kids at family functions. Living in CA, we only saw each other when our families would make the long journey halfway across the country. But Joan made it worth the drive! I am grateful for the love and memories of our extended family times together throughout our lives. May the next generation continue the CA Connection with the Parks/Edson families. Love you Joanie!

  • Debra L. Wolf Posted November 9, 2020 7:34 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Joan was a wonderful person and friend. I worked with Joan at Bancroft.
    We had a lot of fun times- going out for lunch, playing jokes on each other and sharing conversations about our families. She will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Gilbert Charles Barrett, II Posted November 9, 2020 11:24 am

    Aunt Joan was always a blessing to many and the warmth of her smile will be missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to Uncle Jim and the Pearson family during this time. We regret that we can not be there with you all personally in Omaha at this time. May God bless you with His perfect peace as Aunt Joan can now rest forever in His great love.

  • Sherri Pearson Posted November 9, 2020 11:49 am

    I will miss you deeply my sister

  • Dennis Fusco Posted November 9, 2020 9:11 pm

    Deep sorry for your loss. I was a classmate of Joan at Westbrook and Westside. I will always remember the great times catching fireflies and trying to get home when the street lights came on. Adventures to Goodrich Dairy, Blondo Plaza and Roberts Park. All the Seward St races with homemade go carts and Joan was always there. I left Omaha in 1974 and recently caught up on Facebook. God bless you Joan and your entire family.
    Thoughts and prayers from North Carolina.

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