Joan M. Blakesley

Joan Blakesley, 95, died November 6, 2021, after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia. Joan was born August 3, 1926, to Joseph and Anna Jacques in Escanaba, Michigan. After graduating from high school, Joan enlisted in the Army Cadet Corps and began nursing school at St. Anthony School of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois. World War II ended before Joan could serve.
On June 28, 1947 Joan married the love of her life George Blakesley and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Joan worked at St. Anthony Hospital after graduating and for many years did private duty nursing. She was respected by her peers and loved by her patients and their families.

Joan played bridge, enjoyed outings with her Red Hat Club, gardening, cooking and baking. Her cinnamon rolls were legendary. She always attended her grandchildren Matt, Mike and Rob's school and sporting events and looked forward to spending time in Phoenix with grandchildren Alicia, Taylor, Brieanna and Tracy.
She is survived by children Kathy (Jon) Eliason, Mary Avery and Robert Blakesley. Her grandchildren Matt and Mike Vitell, Rob (Erin) Avery, Alicia (John Saxby) Hardwick, Taylor (Rachael Lauer) Blakesley, and Brieanna Blakesley, great grandchildren Victoria Lauer, Isabel Vitell and Ian Blakesley. She is also survived by her sister Audrey Attaway, sister-in-law Joyce Jacques and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her parents Anna and Joseph, her husband George, her daughter-in-law Lynel Blakesley and grandson Tracy Blakesley. Joan's siblings Ernie, Leo, Bobby, Johnny and Freddie Jacques, and Geritha Severson also preceded her in death.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 401 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, IL 61107. Private family burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of Joan's life will be held next summer.
Memorials may be made to the Lewy Body, Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or at https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate.

Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.