Joan Arlene Leighton

Peacefully at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen, NB on July 13, 2016, surrounded by family, Mrs. Joan Arlene (Hanley) Leighton, wife of Mr. Reid Leighton of Back Bay, NB went home to be with her Lord. Born at Fundy Hospital, Blacks Harbour, NB on September 3, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Hilton and Alberta (Hatt) Hanley. Joan was a loving wife, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and a friend to many.

She is survived by her husband, Reid, step daughter, Janice Arthurson of Ontario and her children; Gabriel, Genevieve and Rebecca Arthurson. Eight sisters; Jeanette Mitchell, Anita (Phillip) Hooper, Leah (Allison) Hannan, Agatha (Richard) Mitchell, Ruby (Ronald) Hannan, Brenda (Dan) Brennan, Anne (Rev. Gordon (Jr.)) Cooke and Lori (Norman) Shorey. Three brothers; Blayne (Lorena) Hanley, Calvin (Loma) Hanley and Jeffrey (Dot) Hanley, and several nieces, nephews and many cousins. Four sisters-in-law: Frances (Paul) Mervine, Linda Holmes, Audrey (Eugene) Garnett and Lana (Ricky) Polland and two brothers-in-law: Eddie (Maria) Leighton and Carson (Bonnie) Leighton. A special uncle, Henry Hatt and aunt, Thelma Hanley

Predeceased by two brothers-in-law; Weldon Mitchell and James Kernighan. Two sisters-in-law; Arlene Johnston and Janet Leighton also father and mother-in-law, Bill and Glenna Leighton

Joan worked as a fisher packer for Connors Bros. for many years. She also enjoyed playing games with all her special friends. In the last 18 years she was very involved in fundraising for the Charlotte County Cancer Society. Anyone that knew Joan knew she always had a story to tell to make people laugh. She was a special Auntie to Cody Hanley and also a special Nena to Rachel and Austin Cooke. Joan was not only a sister to Jeff and Anne, but a mother figure as well. Joan was a very strong person with a positive outlook on life from the very first occurrences many years ago to the very end.

We would like to especially thank all the Oncology Staff and Doctors at the Saint John Regional Hospital for all the love and kindness shown to Joan and her family over these past 18 years. Also we want to thank the Eastern Charlotte Extra Mural Staff for the excellent care Joan received while being cared for at home before going to Palliative Care at Charlotte County Hospital where the Staff and Doctors were exceptionally kind and caring as well. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. Visitation will be held at the Sea View Full Gospel Church, Back Bay NB on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The service will be held at the church on Saturday at 2:00 pm with her loving brother in law, Rev. Gordon Cooke officiating, followed by the interment at the St. George Rural Cemetery. In Joan's memory, donations to the Charlotte County Cancer or to the NB Heart & Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family.