Joan Z. O'Halloran

Joan Z. O’Halloran, age 90, a resident of Marshfield, WI since 2015, passed away peacefully at her home on February 28, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:30 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 410 N. 1st Street, Cary, IL, previously her home parish of more than 50 years.

Joan Zegob O’Halloran was born November 17, 1933 in Alamosa, CO, the youngest of three children. They grew up in nearby San Luis, CO, where their parents, Nesrala and Edna Zegob, lived most of their lives.  Nesrala ran the local general store that his beloved Uncle Tony had established. After grade school, Joan attended St. Scholastica Academy in Canyon City, CO.  She went on to attend Creighton University, where she met her future husband, Joseph P. O’Halloran. They were united in marriage on August 18, 1954 at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis, CO. Joe had graduated and started working at Michigan Chemical Corp., so Joan transferred to Central Michigan University. She earned her bachelor’s degree there cum laude, with a major in English and minors in Spanish and French. Joe later worked for some three decades for Quaker Oats Co. in Barrington, IL, and they raised their children in Cary, IL.

Joan was deeply dedicated to her faith and family.  She was a devoted mother who consistently demonstrated great patience and shared her deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Joan also shared her talents through her involvement at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cary, IL. She was a member of the church choir for over 50 years. Additionally, she would attend daily Mass and lead the hymns, often acapella.  She helped proclaim the word of God as a lector.  Joan and her husband taught high school CCD classes. She led Bible study groups in her home for many years.

Joan leaves a legacy of faith that will continue to resonate for generations. Describing Joan, words such as “loving, faith-filled, and selfless” immediately come to mind. She lived a life that exemplified the love of Christ, always putting others before herself, a true inspiration to all who knew her.

Joan is lovingly survived by her children: Maureen Clark, John (Kate) O’Halloran, Kevin (Denise) O’Halloran, Anne (Robert) Finegan, Edna (Bryan) DeVries, Elaine (Richard) Mshomba, Mark (Gerlinde) O’Halloran, Carol (Bernard) Schnaufer; 34 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her dear husband Joe, her parents, her sister Rosemarie (Ted) Espinosa and brother Nesrala (Mary Jane) Zegob.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joan’s honor for the education services provided through Elaine (Joan’s daughter) and Richard Mshomba in Tanzania (in East Africa) (through the Durning-O’Halloran Community Library and scholarships). Checks may be made payable to Edna DeVries (1009 W. Eighth St., Marshfield, WI 54449) who will coordinate the transfer of funds.  Please note Tanzanian education fund in the check memo.

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