Joan Helen Conley Obituary (1924 - 2014)

Peaks Island- Joan Helen Conley, 90, of Central Avenue died peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, following a brief illness. Her loving family was by her side. Joan was born in London, England on July 12, 1924, the daughter of Percy and Ann Homan Dolby. Joan grew up in England and also served with WAAFs in the Royal Womens Auxillary Air Force for 4 years. She met Harold Bud M. Conley Jr. during World War II in England, they were married at St. Christophers Rectory on Peaks Island on October 18, 1950, together they made their home and raised their family on the island. Joan worked her entire life as a homemaker raising her four children by herself after the death of her husband at a young age in 1971. She was a dedicated and lifelong communicant of St. Christophers Catholic Church where she served on many committees, provided flowers for the altar, worked the church fairs and was one of the first Eucharistic ministers from the church. In her spare time she enjoyed knitting, decorating cakes, gardening, cooking and the love of all her grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by her husband Harold Bud M. Conley Jr., a sister Rose Ann Quartermaine, two brothers Harry Eddie Dolby. She is survived by three daughters Beverley and her husband Doug Phillips of Newburyport, MA, Rose Ann and her husband Eddie Walsh of Peaks Island, Meg Conley Mavodones of Portland; one son Marty and his wife Ann Conley of South Portland; former son in law Nick Mavodones of Portland; eight grandchildren Joan Cook and her husband Rod, Julie Doyle and her husband Dan, Marguerite Walsh, Robert and James Walsh, Nicholas Mavodones III, Joseph Mavodones and his wife Emily, Jillian Dolby Mavodones; nine great grandchildren Jenny, Joshua, Jessica, Nicole, Greg, Caitlin, Joesph, Lydia and Jack; several nieces and nephews. There are not enough words to express our gratitude to the Suite 2 family at PCAL. They not only cared for our mother but loved her and took her into their hearts. With much appreciation we say Thank You to all of you. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Christophers Catholic Church on Peaks Island at a later date. A private family burial is in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com Those who wish may make contributions in Joans memory to: Center for Grieving Children, PO Box 1438, Portland, ME 04108 or Portland Center for Assisted Living Suite 2, 68 Devonshire St., Portland, ME 04103 or St. Christophers Catholic Church, 15 Central Ave, Peaks Island, ME 04108.