Joan Galbraith

Fortified with the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, Joan Galbraith, surrounded by family and the thoughts and prayers of many loved ones, passed peacefully from this life on May 9, 2022, in Olathe, Kansas. 

Joan (Joanie to her family) was born in 1933 to Sterling and Mildred Briggs in Pennsylvania. Her arrival marked the beginning of the end of the Great Depression, because she entered the world with a lively sense of humor and a love for laughter and stories that remained with her to the end. Like so many of her generation, Joan was an Army (later Air Force) “brat,” and the demands of military service meant frequent moves for the family, mostly in the east and south. Her affability ensured friends in every new place. 

When the Air Force, in a truly wise decision, posted Sterling to a strange place called Richards-Gebaur, the family worried that they were moving to the fringes of civilization. However they soon fell in love with Kansas City, and Joan soon fell in love with a dashing, but shy, ex-Marine, one Jim Galbraith, and the two were married in 1959. With much love and perseverance through good times and bad, and sickness and health, they raised a family and grew old together, sharing their love of faith, family, music, and travel. Jim preceded her in death in 2007.

Joan was always on the go. In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she was a consummate administrative professional, in positions of responsibility and trust for employers in government, education, and the Church. She will always be remembered as a gifted artist. She particularly loved architectural and landscape painting, and painted well into her 80’s. Her graceful pen and ink and watercolor works grace the homes of many of her children and grandchildren. She frequently exhibited and received honors at the State and County fairs. Joan embroidered a custom sampler for every new grand baby and crocheted baby blankets for crisis pregnancy centers. She dedicated thousands of hours to the Church in many roles, such as lector, catechist, sacristan, secretary.  Joan had an insatiable love of books and always kept a good volume of history near at hand. Although she appreciated learning about all times and places, she was partial to Russia, and practically had a minor in Russian history.

Joan is survived by her children Mary (and Roger) Grahl, Clare Briggs, Ed (and Claudia) Galbraith, Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith, O.P., and Betsy Baldwin; sister Marianne (and Jimmy) Richardson; 16 grandchildren, Monica Levy, Michaella (and Kevin) Rekowski, Marjorie (and Jacob) Hunt, James (and Mary Catherine) Galbraith, Matthew (and Megan) Levy, John Galbraith,Tim (and Brianna) Armstrong, Jude (and Valerie) Galbraith, Therese Galbraith, Joseph (and Riyanna) Galbraith, Andrew Galbraith, Maria (and Tristan) Ott, Catherine Galbraith, Mary Kate Baldwin, Emma Baldwin and Sophia Baldwin; seven great-granddaughters, Evelyn, Aubrey, Addison, Cecilia, Brigid, Vivian, and Victoria; other relatives and friends.

We will remember Joan as a smart, witty, outspoken, kind lady; always ready to share a funny story, a frank opinion, a word of comfort, or a prayer for your intentions. Godspeed, Joanie.

Visitation was held from Thursday evening, May 12, 2022, at the funeral home with Recitation of the Rosary. 

Mass of Christian Burialw was held Friday,  May 13, 2022, at the St. Bridget Catholic Church, Pleasant Hill.  Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.  Casket bearers were James Galbraith, John Galbraith, Joseph Galbraith, Jacob Hunt,  Matt Levy, Tristan Ott, and Kevin Rekowski.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Catholic Relief Services or the Bishop Sullivan Center and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com.

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550