Joan Barker Nieporte

Joan Barker Nieporte May 5, 1931- February 28, 2019

Our beloved-beautiful and loving mother, started her heavenly ascent while at home on Thursday, February 28th at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.  Anyone who ever had the privilege to become her friend, knew she was not afraid of death, and was looking forward to the day she would meet Jesus and his Mother Mary.  Joan’s devoted husband has been awaiting her arrival for four years. 

She was one of four daughters of Paul A. Barker and Margaret Madden.  She adored her parents and sisters, always wanting to share time with them throughout her life. 
She attended Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, Pa., a place she always held very close to her heart. She attended Immaculata University for a short time before her first professional job as a secretary in NYC. 

Her love story began in 1954 when she met the love of her life, Tom Nieporte, Sr. They met in church saying a novena during Lent at St. Joseph’s in Bronxville, NY. A short nine-month courtship led to 59 years of adventure and love.  She was the unselfish mother to nine children and 28 grandchildren.  Besides her miraculous medal, no other necklace was more important to her than the 28 gold baby shoes that adorned her neck.  She wore it lovingly and proudly.  Her entire life’s purpose evolved around her family and friends. 

She volunteered her time as a P.E. teacher and coach at St. Joan of Arc School in Boca Raton, Florida for many years.  She was passionate and loved going to daily mass and enjoyed staying to say the rosary. She made our home beautiful for every season, always with a beautiful statue of Mary as the centerpiece on the kitchen chopping block.  She loved her dogs, bridge, yardwork, gardenias, Wednesday morning tennis with her girlfriends, Thursday morning bowling with her Pope John Paul mothers. She was an accomplished knitter, making beautiful sweaters and teaching her granddaughters the same.  She loved needlepointing, mostly golf belts for her “boyfriend” Tom, her children, grandchildren, in-laws, son and daughter in laws, nieces and nephews, friends, and anyone who requested one. 

Joan was a founding member of The Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Pinecrest School, (formerly Boca Raton Academy), and Pope Paul II High School.   

The beach was always in her heart.  She spent countless hours there feeling peaceful and healthy.  This love began as a child at the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, and continued in the early 60’s when she moved to Boca Raton, Florida.  She enjoyed summers on the rocky beach in Bayville, NY. And never missed her yearly sabbatical with her close friends in Marathon Key. 

Joan always enjoyed outdoor sports and activities that her children and grandchildren were involved in. Baseball, golf, horseshows, tennis matches, swim meets, football games, singing lessons, dancing school, to name a few, and then the many hours spent driving to and from all the practices.   

In her early married life, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and her first four children.  This love of travel continued throughout her life.  She looked forward to yearly trips with her mother and sister’s cross-country to the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs, CA. She visited her mother in law, Naomi in Cincinnati, Ohio for many years, with her children and grandchildren in the van to enjoy the adventure.  She never missed arranging a trip for a daughter who moved 18 times in her life.  She wanted to support her wherever it was in Dad’s offseason.  Her goal was to bring happiness to all who were with her. 

Joan is Predeceased by her sister Rita O’Leary and survived by her two sisters, (Margaret “Mimi” Flanigan and Paula McEachen. Nine children; Joanita Nieporte-Woodstock of Jupiter Farms, Fla.; Joseph Nieporte (Elizabeth) of Boca Raton, Fla.; Thomas Nieporte Jr. (Wendy) of Hoschton, Ga.; Naomi Nieporte of Bayville, NY; James Nieporte (Vanessa) of Boca Raton, Fla; Mary Leen (Edward) of Boca Raton; Paula Nieporte of Gainesville, Ga.; John Nieporte (Tracie) of Boca Raton, Fla.; and Odette Bliss (Stacy) of Boca Raton, Fla. “Mumsy and Otzie” is survived by 28 grandchildren,  Kai and Jenna Woodstock, Brooke, Joseph and James Nieporte, Thomas Nieporte III and Cody Nieporte, Brody, Mimi and Quincy Nieporte, Blythe and James Nieporte, Madden, Bridget, Kieran, Regan, and Gannon Leen, Molloy, Morgan, Mack, Montgomery, and Malone VanGorder, Riley, Abby, Libby, and Ellie Nieporte, Campbell and Phoebe Bliss.

At the time of her death, her daughters and a few grandchildren were privileged and honored in comforting her home. 

The Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 9:30 am at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, Fla. Reception following at The Addison

Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to:
Camilla Hall, Attn Sister Jeanine Norton IHM, 100 Maxis Drive, Malvern, PA  19355 in memory of Joan Barker Class of ‘49
Tom Nieporte Caddy Scholarship Fund, Westchester Caddie  Scholarship, 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, N.Y. 10523

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