Joann E. Breen, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the age of 94.
She was born August 18, 1929 in Augusta, Ga, the daughter of the late Clarence Cheeks and Johanna Elizabeth “Bessie” (McKnight) Cheeks. Joann was the eighth of nine children. She had been a longtime resident of Nashua, since 1968.
After hearing Happy Birthday sung in Sunday school, she went home and using two fingers played Happy Birthday for her brother, she was four years old. At a later time she heard Roll Out the Barrel on the radio and played it on the piano. In the 1st grade she changed her name from Johanna to Joann, she didn’t like Johanna.
At 7 years old, she took piano instruction and played in her first recital. The teacher had her play middle c with the right hand, then the left, which was the 1st piano lesson. Joann was humiliated and showed everyone her real ability with both hands she broke out with God Bless America. At the age of 12 she was playing in church.
Joann was attending the Barrett school of nursing at the University hospital in Augusta when she was a senior, and married Michael T. Breen on June 2, 1950, and later graduated. While at Barrett, she was a member of the glee club. For the next two years, she practiced nursing at the university hospital while Michael served in the Army in Germany.
After Michael’s return to Augusta, they moved to Alexandria, VA where they started a family. In 1963, the couple moved the family to Hyattsville, Md where they purchased their 1st home.
Joann practiced nursing again at Prince George’s General Hospital in Prince Georges, Md for 5 years. She also worked private duty in a home for one year, preferred the hospital.
In 1968, the family moved to Nashua where she joined Nashua Baptist Church and became pianist shortly thereafter. Joann was a junior girl scout leader for 3 years and very active in her church. Every week she would buy flowers and make a floral arrangement for the front of the church. She would then look for someone troubled and send the arrangement home with them.
In 1969 she was hired by Greenbriar Nursing Home. Shortly after she started a weekly workshop service for points. In 1975 she was promoted to In Service Director, and was teaching students to become nurses aides. In 1976, Joann earned her certification in Geriatrics, but resigned from nursing months later due to a back injury. A number of years later, she served as co-president of the Nashua Garden Club. She served as secretary of the Nashua Soup Kitchen where she spearheaded a rummage sale to bring in funds.
Joann remained very active in her church. Twice she won the culinary delights competition with The Telegraph. She placed entries in the Deerfield Fair for many years, walking away with 27 ribbons the first year.
In her senior years, she worked in the nursery while Mom’s attended bible study. She worked at three churches, she continued to play keyboard for over 40 years at Greenbriar for their worship services, until she fell and broke her leg.
Joann is predeceased by son, John E. Breen and her husband of 71+ years, Michael T. Breen. She is survived by a son, Michael P. Breen of Nashua and a daughter, Marie E. Pierce of Nashua; three granddaughters, Michelle Breen of Maine, Joann Breen Merrill of Maine and Heather (Pierce) Blasnek of Colorado; three adopted grandsons, Taylor Bulluck of Nashua, Drew Bulluck of Concord, NH and Nathan Bulluck of Nashua; and eight granddaughters.
If you would like to give a donation in her memory, please send a check to: Northeastern Baptist College, P.O. Box 4600, Bennington, VT 05201. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, assisted the family with arrangements.
