Joan F. Bailey

Joan Frances Bailey

August 1, 1929 – June 14, 2020

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother — Joan Bailey, age 90, of Omaha, Nebraska passed away peacefully on the evening of June 14, 2020.

One day after her wedding anniversary, Joan was reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Don, as well as her parents Frances and Frank Stehno, mother-in-law Elizabeth Bailey, brother-in-law Joseph Forman, and sister-in-law Barbara Gillin.

Left to cherish her memory and legacy is her sister and best friend Jean Forman; her four children: Jeannie (Mel) Holmes of Escondido, California; John (Donna) Bailey of Omaha; Judy (Chris) Stjernholm of Pueblo, Colorado; and Joanie Bark of San Diego, California.

She was a caring and devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren: Christine (Zach) Goodsell, Kathy (Brad) Struck, Ryan (Dani) Bailey, Stephen (Brittany) Bailey; Michael, Katie, and Matthew Stjernholm.  She was especially proud of and delighted by her four great-grandchildren: Landon Struck, Rylan Goodsell, Jersee and Levi Bailey.  She is also survived by her niece Mary Beth (Alan) Wass, her nephew Al Begley, and dear friend Sister Imelda Kirkey, OSM.

An Omaha native, Joan was born on August 1,1929 to Frank and Frances Stehno.  In 1947, she graduated first in the final graduating class at St. Mary’s High School — which then became Mercy High.  Her first job was at Creighton Medical Center and she later took a job at Wright and Wilhelmy.

On June 13, 1953, she married her first-grade classmate and sweetheart Don Bailey after he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.  They lived in San Diego, CA and Bayonne, NJ before returning to Omaha to make their home and raise their family.  Joan devoted her life to serving others and caring for those around her, including her parents and mother-in-law in their later years.

During their 58 years of marriage, Don and Joan enjoyed many travels together by car (spontaneous road trips to the Rocky Mountains to visit their Colorado family), boat (cruises with her sister Jean and brother-in-law Joe), and plane (overseas adventures with Jeannie and Joanie who worked for the airlines).  She was an avid reader and a talented seamstress.  Her dogs Fritzi and Winston held a special place in her heart.  She enjoyed playing pinochle, cheering on the Huskers, and listening to her children and grandchildren play the piano.

She spent her final years at Heritage Pointe Assisted Living, where she was compassionately cared for and was able to live across the hall from her sister Jean.  The joy of her life was her family and the times they spent together.  Her family will forever remember her humility, wit, sharp mind, and selfless heart.

Joan was a lifelong member of Christ the King Church.  A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Joan can be directed to Servants of Mary (OSM) or Siena Francis House.