Una Mary Joseph Obituary

Passed peacefully away at James Peyton Memorial Hospital on October 25, Una joined her heavenly family: her parents (Richard and Martha Draper) siblings (Bill Draper, Frankie Burns, and George Draper) and her daughter (Karen). Leaving to mourn are her husband, George; her daughter, Mandy (Danny); Son-in-Law, Gerard (Karla); Sister, Violet (Jerry); Brother, Christy and Sister in Laws, Sadie and Susan, as well as her grandchildren, Nick, Dylan, Caitlin, Colin and Blake; niece, Sonia, and nephew, Zane, and many much- loved Irish nieces and nephews.

During her life, Una was dedicated to her family. As a wife, she was adventurous. It was first major adventure that brought she and George to Gander, Newfoundland in 1964. From there, she and Dad found their way-across Canada and the United States to Korea, Japan, many other cruise ship ports of call and of course, their beloved birth place, Ireland. As a wife, sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother no task was too large and time spent with family was of the utmost importance. From costume making to family holidays to family get togethers, there was never a time when she was not totally involved in our lives. If there was an event "Nan" was there.

As a professional, she spread her musical passion to many school-aged children at Gander for 12 years in the 1960s and 70s. Moving to the Arts and Culture Centre in 1976, she was directly involved with the programming of all forms of arts as it travelled through the building and the province.

In the community she was no less actively involved. Initially joining the Avion Players when first arriving in Gander, she eventually became Chair of the Newfoundland Drama Society, and Theatre Canada promoting NL community drama performances in many other countries. Music continued to be her passion as she helped organize the first (and many other) Kiwanis Music Festivals in Gander. The Girl Guide Movement in Canada was no less important to Una as she moved through local, provincial and national ranks. And, she was actively involved in founding and participating in chapters of the Beta Sigma Phi sisterhood. Where she found the time, we never knew. But she did. And further. In retirement she became a fixture with the Shrine Park in Eastport aiding the support of burn children.

From Mom, we learned love and family are everything and that the place you live is there so you can make it better. We should never leave a place anything but better than it was when we found it just for having the luxury of living there.

The Joseph family would like to thank the staff at JPMH, Una's Compassionate Care Workers and Central Public Health for all that their support in the past 18 months. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that a donation be made to St. Martin's Cathedral, the Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Society, the NL Shriners Travel Fund or a charity of your choice.

Family will be receiving friends at Stacey's Funeral Home, Gander on Sunday October 27, 2024 between the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. The funeral will take place from St. Martins Anglican Cathedral, Gander on Monday October 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. and will be live streamed via St. Martin's Facebook Page: St. Martins Cathedral. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery.

The funeral service will be livestreamed via St. Martins Facebook page: St. Martin's Cathedral. Interment Location All Saints Cemetery, Gander.