Obituary of Joan Stephanie Gilbert-Nelson

Joan S. (Gilbert) Nelson, 57, passed away August 8, 2022 peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Joan was born in Danbury on March 5, 1965 to the late John and Marguerite Gilbert. She was a graduate of Bethel High Class of 1983. In 1989 Joan married the love of her life. After starting to raise her children she returned to Abbott Tech to pursue a degree in nursing, Graduating in 2004. She loved nursing as it gave her an opportunity to help others, which is always what she aimed to do. After a few years, once she physically was unable to help others she pursued and achieved a degree in psychology, Graduating from the University of Phoenix 2011.

Joan will always be remembered by her sparkling smile and huge warm and loving heart. She always put others first making sure everything was okay. 

For special occasions throughout the year, Joan would always go all out. She always decorated beautifully and made enough food to feed the town. She would recruit Gary and the kids to make it all happen. She loved celebrating and having a good time. 

Joan loved to travel with her husband, her family and even alone when she would drive to Newfoundland yearly to visit one of her best friends, Janey.

Another passion was her photography. Through the years Joan took thousands of photos, capturing the many places she visited and the many lives she touched. Joan would make everything and everybody she photographed look extraordinary through the cameras eye. We cherish the memories we have of her in our lives and through her photos we can all be comforted knowing that she created these moments for us to remember. 

Joan will be missed tremendously. She is survived by her husband Gary, their three children, Casey, Makenzie, and Colby and her granddaughter Stevie.