Born November 4, 1933 – Joann Cecilia Gilday Died in Christ June 28, 2014, after a long hard fought battle against Breast Cancer. Why you don't throw rocks at Ducks I was about 5-years-old and hanging out with my cool older cousin who thought throwing rocks at the ducks was a great idea. Needless to say my mom put a stop to it. For me it was one of the many thousands of little lessons you learn from your mother over a life time. There was little anger and no punishment this time. It was the way she talked to me that made me realize why throwing those rocks was wrong. Those life lessons never stopped coming. How in a few words do you capture a wonderfully full life of Joann, a daughter born in the depths of the Depression, raised and loved by a Scotch Irish mother and Irish Catholic father, growing up in a steel town on the banks of the Ohio River (Steubenville.) Or bring to life the fullness of having five close wonderful sisters and two great brothers, all of whom were brought up to be strong and independent and to stand up for what is right while living their Catholic faith in their daily lives. How do you express the work ethic that started at a very young age or explain her sharp mind and sharp elbows? Joann, as she was known to many family members and friends, wrote beautiful letters, held thousands of great conversations, played sports in her youth, loved to read which she passed down to several generations, and taught us how to fight (she really did). Later in life she ran for Congress, created the Retired Nursing Association, traveled and played golf, when not enjoying her large extended family and network of friends. How do you convey the love she had for Paul, a young athletic, loving man that complemented her well? Or how in nursing school she worked in the labs where Jonas Salk created the Polio vaccine, or how Joann and Paul raised three boys and two girls during the turbulent 60's and 70's? Or note that she moved with Paul from Steubenville to Newark, Ohio in 1977 and then to Perry in 1982. Joan C. Durbak, a Registered Nurse helped create the 648 Mental Health Board in Steubenville, continued as a physiatric nurse in Newark, was a nurse manager at Laurelwood during the 1980's, then later at St. Luke's continued with physiatric nursing working with troubled youth and young adults. Joann loved to dance, to read and spend time with family and friends. Her ability to talk and listen well helped many people realize and find answers to their personal issues, was one of her greatest attributes. Joann lived, loved well and was well loved. She was preceded in death by parents John and Leona Gilday, brother Jack Gilday, sisters Eileen Fortunato and Betty Aperfine; and is survived by sisters Pat James, Mary Lou Recinella, Peggy Fiedorczyk and brother Jim Gilday along with her loving husband of 57 years Paul; daughters Teresa Sipos (Gene), Christina Hoyt (Jon) and sons Paul (Maureen), Michael (Darlene) and James (Jazmine) Durbak along with 19 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her close family also included Brother and Sisters In-Law Joan Gilday and Bob Fortunato both deceased as well as living Brother and Sisters In-Law; Chuck Aperfine, Roy James, Bill Recinella, Alex Fiedorczyk and Tommy Gilday. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday at 9:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church 242 North State St. Painesville. Family and friends will be received Tuesday from2-4 and 7-9 at the Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home 667 Mentor Ave. Painesville. Burial will be in Perry cemetery Contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or the Hospice of the Western Reserve 5786 Heisley Rd. Mentor OH 44060