NEW BEDFORD — Joan Ann Niles, 76, lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Friday, October 4, 2019.
Joan Ann was a strong, independent woman who was fierce and far mightier than her 4'8? stature. She was the proud owner of Bristol County Blueprint Co for 43 years, a reprographic business that she poured her heart and soul into every day. She broke the glass ceiling for women long before it was commonly talked about it.
Joan Ann loved her partner, Larry, her children, family, church and community. She loved spending winters in Florida with Larry. She always enjoyed traveling to Pennsylvania to visit her granddaughter, Olivia, who was the light of her life. Joan Ann also looked forward to her weekly dinners with Larry and Alex at Friendly’s nearly every Wednesday for the last 10 years. She also enjoyed lunches and excursions with her two sisters and her lifelong friends, the PJs, the Bakers and Learys. She loved her Shih Tzus, Tom Brady and the Patriots, and she always enjoyed watching the Pats games with Larry.
Joan Ann got a new lease on life in December of 2000, when her sister, Patty, who was a perfect match, donated her stem cells to her to help her fight leukemia. She considered herself re-born thereafter and was known to celebrate 2000 as her birth year. Joan Ann’s spirit and faith was strong, and she defied the odds and lived life to its fullest for another 19 years.
A lifelong resident of New Bedford, Joan Ann loved her hometown and actively gave back to her community. As a well-respected businesswoman, she served on the board of directors for the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Workforce Investment Board. She also served on the Advisory Board at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School and was the Advisor to the CAD program at GNBRVHS. She was active with Junior Achievement of Greater New Bedford and the Jaycees and the Miss New Bedford Pageant. She was honored with the task of installing the first cobblestone in the historic district when the streets were repaved. She was a past president of the Eastern Regional Reprographic Association.
A deeply religious person, Joan served as Vestry member, on the Finance Committee, as an active member of the Episcopal Church Women and head of Christian Education, which she led for over 30 years, at Grace Episcopal Church.
Joan Ann is survived by her loving partner of 18 years, Larry Correia, her two sisters, Patty O’Neale of New Bedford and Kathy Mayo of Westport, her two children, Shaun Niles and his wife, Arianna, of Carmel, IN, and Alyson Niles and her husband, Rob Bishop, of East Stroudsburg, PA, her granddaughter, Olivia Grace Mann of East Stroudsburg, and her nephew, Ross Sherman of New Bedford. She is also survived by Larry’s son, Michael Correia and his partner, Helen, of Fall River, two daughters, Lisa Bergson and her husband, Gene, of Dartmouth, Julie Przybyszewski and her husband, Dana, of Mattapoisett, and their children, Aaron Sughrue, Peter Sughrue, and Alex Bergson of Dartmouth, and Leah and Nate Przybyszewski of Mattapoisett. She was predeceased by her parents, Manuel and Constance Vital of New Bedford.
Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Home, 479 County Street, New Bedford. Visiting hours will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 5-8pm. Celebratory mass will take place at Grace Episcopal Church at 11 am on Thursday, Oct. 10.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Grace Episcopal Church’s Christian Education Program, 133 School Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02740.