DeBaie, Joan (Casey) – It is with full hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished Nanny, Joan (Casey) DeBaie, who left us peacefully on December 31, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born in 1940, in Halifax, she was a daughter of Dennis and Charlotte (King) Casey.
Nanny Joan lived a life defined by caring, friendship, and a devotion to the people she loved. She was a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. Her infectious smile, witty humor, and everyday kindness made everyone feel at home.
Nanny Joan had a remarkable ability to make even the simplest moments memorable—whether it was recording your weight loss every week at TOPS, playing bingo, singing weekly in the Choir, visiting with friends, organizing a big family reunion, volunteering at Memory Lane Heritage Village, or spending time at her family home in Port Felix.
She leaves behind a legacy of love in her sons, Danny DeBaie (Sherri), Dartmouth; and Neil DeBaie, Sackville; her amazing granddaughters, Tracey (Reigh-Leigh), Yellowknife; Elizabeth (Dyson), Kentucky; her great-grandchildren, Analin and Isaac, Kentucky; and Reid, Yellowknife, who will forever carry her life lessons, strength, and love for playing cribbage and doing puzzles forward. Donna Devost and Shania Siteman (Nash and Coy) were her bonus granddaughters and great-grandsons whom she also treated equally as family. She is also survived by her brother, Warren Casey.
She is predeceased by husband, Arnold DeBaie in 2010, whom she now joins in peaceful rest; sisters, Kaye and Shirley; brothers, Freeman, Earl, Dennis, Jerry (her twin brother) and Pat.
A Celebration of Nanny Joan’s Life will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Memory Lane Heritage Village in Lake Charlotte from 4 - 7 pm. The next day the family will travel down to Port Felix and together, Arnold and Joan will be laid to rest.
In honor of her giving spirit, the family asks in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastern Shore Archives (easternshorearchives.ca)
We would like to thank the staff of Northwood Halifax 8C for your continued care.
And last but not least, we want to send a huge thank you to everyone around Lake Charlotte Loop (and a few off the loop) who helped and stopped in to check on her well being over the years, it never went unnoticed. And to the Cashin family of Port Felix whom she dearly loved, your kindness and love shown to “Momma Joan” will always be remembered and you all have a special place in our hearts.
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