Johanna Marie Nearing, RN, age 78, of Dominion, died on October 3, 2025, with family at her side in Cape Breton Regional Hospital following a series of medical complications. Johanna was born August 6, 1947, to the late Russell and Helen (Roth) Nearing, Dominion. She resided at Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney for the past 18 months.

After graduating from MacDonald High and Xavier Junior College, she served for two years as the first female full-time organizer for the Young Christian Students (YCS) movement, girls division, for the Diocese of Antigonish, also serving as the National President of the girls YCS. She went on to graduate from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in 1970. From 1971 – 1975, she worked with the Antigonish Diocesan Team in Honduras to establish an apostolic program for high-school and post school youth, and to assist the priests and sisters in their service to the youth.

In 1977, she graduated from St Martha’s School of Nursing, Antigonish, and accepted a position there on 2nd East, a medical/surgical floor. In 1987, she resigned to provide care for her ailing father after many years of travelling by bus from Antigonish to Dominion on her days off to be with him.

In 1989, Johanna began working at Seaview Manor, Glace Bay, where she continued to work for over 25 years. She served as a diligent, dedicated nurse who often remained long after her shift to ensure her patients received the best care. At the Manor, she founded and organized the monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group and continued to run it after her retirement, only forced to stop during the pandemic. After retiring at age 71, she adopted a cat, Paddy. She loved cats, dogs, sheep, horses, and cows, often saying she wished she lived on a farm.

Johanna was a collector of antiques and enjoyed attending auctions. She was an excellent, meticulous baker, as anyone who was offered her date squares, blockbuster bars, and blueberry squares can attest. Johanna loved the Fall, especially the sunflowers and pumpkins. For many years, she hosted a Fall gathering for her closest friends. Her long-time best friend, Joanne Marcil, was very generous to Johanna, driving her to daily mass, appointments and grocery shopping, and often provided delicious hot meals. Jamie Doucette, neighbour and friend, was always on call to lend a hand, be it stringing Christmas lights, clearing snow, and many other odd jobs.

Johanna was deeply religious and very involved in the Church, including serving on the St. Eugene’s Parish Council as well as training new alter servers. She canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Nova Scotia Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Johanna is survived by her brother, Sheldon (Assunta), nephews Robert (Rose) and Philip (Sherry), and nieces Linda Campbell (Bradley) and Dianne van Bommel (Martin). She adored and was very generous on birthdays and at Christmas to her ten great nieces and nephews: Kelsey and Sarah (Dylan) Nearing; Jason (Deanna) and Mark (Shelley) Nearing; Heather MacPherson (Mike), Melanie (Nick) and Alyssa Campbell; Christopher (Jamie), Matthew (Megan), and Rebecca (Philip) van Bommel; great, great niece Kassandra Lesiak; and great, great nephew Jack MacPherson.

Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.

Visitation will be held at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 10th at 2 pm in Immaculate Conception Church, Bridgeport with interment in St. James Cemetery, Gardiner Mines. Fr. Dan Boudreau presiding and Fr. Norman MacPhee concelebrating.

On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca