Obituary of Joanne Deborah Hillison

I thought of you today but that is nothing new. I thought of you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name, all I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part. God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart.

Joanne Deborah Hillison, age 57 of Spryfield, passed away on August 3, 2021 peacefully at the VG Hospital in Halifax. Joanne was born in Halifax.

She worked for Shannex at Arborstone Enhanced Care for 18 years. Joanne loved talking to the residents and helping them. She had many coworkers that became very good friends. Joanne’s favorite holiday was Christmas and she loved buying gifts and giving. Joanne was a good friend, she was always there when needed, no matter the situation and she loved to make people laugh. She loved shopping and would never come out of bath and body works empty handed. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten by family and friends. She was the daughter of (biological parents) Margaret Thorne and Joseph (Sonny) Hillison. Joanne was raised by Thelma (Sis) and Arnold (Bubs) Hartlen.

She is survived by her special friend Alceid Allison and her children’s father Martin Clayton; daughters, Tina (Troy) Hillison; Teanna Hillison; son, Martin Clayton; her special sons, Troy Gough (son-in-law); Carvel Clayton; Andre James; Davontray Beals; sisters, Denise (Chris) Barzilay; Bonnie (Bob) Rose; Joanie (Bob) Kwiatkowski; Mickey (Thomas) Shields; Gloria (Melvin) MacIntyre; brother, Cory Thorne; granddaughter; Tayjah Hillison; several nieces, nephews, God children, and many friends. Also survived by special parents, Viola and Burthon (predeceased) Clayton; special sisters, Marlene; Shelly; Wanda; Carolann; Viola; special brothers, Larry and Kenny.

Joanne was predeceased by Thelma and Arnold Hartlen, who raised her; biological father, Joseph Hillison; sister, Doe Doe; brother-in-law, Dennis Salter; sisters, Kim Slaunwhite; Diane Cashen; grandbabies Davontray and Precious; godson, Anthony.

Thank you to her friends and family that were there for her from the beginning of her battle, she loved you all! Thank you to the wonderful staff of 7A Palliative Care of the VG site for being so kind and caring. It takes special people to do what you do.

A celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm in the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Upper Hammonds Plains. A mask and proof of vaccination will be required. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Joanne’s memory but the one thing that she really would’ve liked to do had she survived this terrible disease, was make care packages for people in the hospital.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).