FARRELL, Teresa Joan Farrell

July 22, 1935 - February 5, 2026

Beloved wife of the late James Thomas (Tom) Farrell; cherished Mother of Maureen (Edward Lacika) of Komoka, Ontario, Jamie (Betty Augustyniak) of St. Colomban, Quebec, and Patrick (P.J.) Farrell (Angela Green) of Port Hope, Ontario. Her grandchildren, Julia, Thomas, Justin and Alyssa were a constant source of pride and happiness, and she treasured every moment she spent with them. Predeceased by her parents Hugh and Edith Riopelle (née Purcell), her siblings the late Hugh Riopelle (Marie), the late Gerald Riopelle (Jeannine), the late Lois Arundel, the late Harold Riopelle (Alice), and the late Patrick Riopelle. Predeceased also by her nieces Catherine Hall of Kemptville, ON and Vicki Huskilson, of Lockeport, NS, and by nephews, Stephen Riopelle of Richmond, VA, and baby Michael Riopelle, also of Ottawa. Predeceased as well by her sister-in-law Betty Byrne (the late Jim) of Peterborough, ON, and her brothers-in-law, Joseph (Bud) Farrell of Ottawa, and Desmond Farrell (the late Fae Swim) of Lockeport, NS. Her many nieces, nephews, and close friends will also dearly miss her.

A devout Catholic with progressive views, faith formed the cornerstone of Joan’s life. She grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, at 16 Champagne Ave., with her five siblings, and after completing High School at Immaculata College, she spent time as a novitiate with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Peterborough ON, where she made many friends before realizing her vocation lay elsewhere. She returned home to Ottawa, and went to work as a secretary for Dibble Construction Co., and later, on Parliament Hill. Her life-long love of learning took her back to school at the University of Ottawa where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. During that time, she befriended Fr. Tom Farrell, a young curate at St. Mary’s Church. They eventually realized that they were called to married life, and after Tom received dispensation from the priesthood, they married on May 17, 1969, in Toronto, Ontario.

Wanting to raise their family in a quiet community, Joan and Tom relocated to Port Hope, Ontario, in 1971, and became parishioners at Our Lady of Mercy Church where Joan was an active member for more than 54 years. Joan believed strongly in Education, and while raising three children, she spent 16 years as a Trustee for the Peterborough-Victoria-Northumberland and Clarington Separate School Board, advocating for students and teachers, especially those whom she believed were overlooked. After Tom passed away in 1995, Joan threw herself whole-heartedly into service at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port Hope. She spent time on the Parish Council, and was the leading Eucharistic Minister for many years. Having a passion for pastoral work, Joan returned to school at the University of Toronto, and received her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies at the age of seventy-five! Her understated joie-de-vivre, sense of humour, and compassion for all people, will be dearly missed.

As the Riopelle saying goes, “WE LOVE YOU ALL THE DAYS!”

Friends and relatives are invited to call at Rushnell Funeral Home, 103 Mill Street, Port Hope, ON, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 155 Walton St., Port Hope, ON, at 11:00 am.

The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/MtoECIEGNTY