Joan C. OBrien (nee Ward) Devout Catholic, Wife, Mother, Navy Veteran, Pediatric LPN and Pro-Life Advocate WOLCOTT- Two days after celebrating her 79th birthday, Joan Carmel OBrien unexpectedly completed her earthly journey on Monday, September 16 in the arms of her husband, Bill, while surrounded by the same mountains in Stowe, VT where the two honeymooned almost 48 years earlier. Born in Stamford, CT on September 14, 1945, Joan was a Navy brat, the daughter of the late James and Catherine (Caporale) Ward. Following in her fathers footsteps, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in Memphis and Moffet Field Naval Air Station, near San Francisco, as an aviation storekeeper and a chaplains assistant. After the Navy, her service to others especially children continued as a pediatric nurse at St. Josephs Hospital in Stamford and St. Raphaels Hospital in New Haven. Joan met her future Bill after both were tricked into cleaning the basement office of a mutual friend. That mutual friend was the president of Connecticut Right to Life Corporation, an organization to which Joan have a lifetime commitment. Joan also helped women with unplanned pregnancies and their babies as a volunteer at two pregnancy care centers, Birthright of Waterbury and more recently at Carolyns Place. She was also co-chair of the Pro-life Ministry at St. Basil the Great Parish in Wolcott. Joan and Bill, after losing two children, Michael and Veronica, to miscarriages, raised their other four children in Naugatuck and then Wolcott. Joan was a truly devout Roman Catholic and parishioner, first of St. Maria Goretti Church, where she was known to CCD students as "The Rosary Lady," and then at St. Basil the Great Parish. She was a member of several prayer groups and the Legion of Mary, and served as a leader, including director, of the 3rd Order of Lay Carmelites. She also enjoyed singing in the St. Basil church choir. After raising her children, Joan took on several jobs, her favorite of which was capturing the earliest moments of life as a photographer of newborn babies for FirstFoto at St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury. Through her lens, she shared in the joy of countless families, photographing the smiles and bright eyes of hundreds of newborn children. Her laughter, corny jokes, positive can-do attitude, and warm and infectious smile, paired with her unwavering faith, left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Joan was always seeking God for herself and others, finding humor in life, and sharing her joy with others. Joan is survived by her loving husband, William 'Bill' OBrien, Jr., and their three children: Christopher OBrien, Mary OBrien, and Patrick OBrien and his wife, Marina OBrien, and her two cherished grandsons, Filip and Stefan OBrien. Her youngest son, Michael, preceded her in death early in the COVID pandemic, a loss she carried with grace and profound faith that she will see him again when her own time came. She also leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Tara OBrien who was Michaels widow, her brother Steve Ward, and her sister Barbara Ward, and was pre-deceased by her brother Ralph Ward. In addition, she leaves many brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joan will be deeply missed by countless friends she made, many of whom were members of the organizations with which she was active. Joans life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 21st with a Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 10:30 AM in St. Basil the Great Parish / St. Pius X Church, 517 Woodtick Road in Wolcott. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Terryville. Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 7 PM and Saturday morning from 9 to 10 AM at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Road, in Wolcott. Visit www.woodtickmemorial.com for online condolences and more information. Joans family requests that memorial contributions be made to Connecticut Right to Life Education Alliance, PO Box.232, Versailles, CT 06383. Services Visitation Friday September 20, 2024 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Woodtick Memorial 420 Woodtick Rd Wolcott, CT 06716 Visitation Saturday September 21, 2024 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Woodtick Memorial, Woodtick Rd Mass of Christian Burial Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30 AM St. Pius X Church / St. Basil The Great Parish 517 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott, CT 06716