Joan Therese Stiegman

Joan Therese Stiegman, 79, of 1540 Summer St. died peacefully on Saturday November 24th, at home. Joan was born on March 25, 1933. She was the daughter of Dr. Joseph and Lucille Welling of West Islip, New York. Joan is survived by her loving husband, Emero Stiegman, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s University, her daughter, Dr. Martha Stiegman, Martha’s partner Steve Rolsten and their son Ellis of Halifax. A brother, Joseph, predeceased her. She is survived by her sister Ms. Anne Bastian of Annapolis, MD, her brother Paul and his wife, Sheila, of East Lyme, CT and her brother Peter of Lighthouse Point, FL, six nieces and nephews, and nine grandnieces and grandnephews. Joan grew up in Long Beach and West Islip, NY. She graduated from Seton Hall High School on Long Island, attended Smith College and graduated from The College of New Rochelle in 1954. After graduation she entered the Ursuline Order, then received her M.A. in History from Catholic University of America in 1960. After 14 years of teaching history and literature at Ursuline Academies in Bethesda, MD, Wilmington, DE and New Rochelle, NY, she left the Ursuline Order and later married Emero Stiegman. In 1970 they moved to Halifax and ultimately became Canadian citizens to more fully participate in the life of their community and country. In Halifax Joan taught history and literature at St. Patrick’s High School and earned the affectionate respect of her many students. Joan and her husband were members of Canadian Martyrs parish, and participated in many professional, religious and social activities. Their many friends and family extend across Canada and the United States. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday December 3rd at Canadian Martyrs Church, Inglis St. There will be a visitation Sunday December 2nd from 2 to 4pm at Cruikshank's Funeral Home, Windsor St. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joan’s name to Leave Out Violence's support programs for at-risk youth in Membertou First Nation www.leaveoutviolence.org/novascotia. To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com