Joan C Oakley

Joan was born January 3, 1944, in Auckland, New Zealand to Allen and Brysson Bartley. Growing up with her two brothers, Victor and Bryce, she was involved in the arts through dance (ballet, tap, and irish jig), piano, and her love of singing. She attended night school at Seddon Memorial Technical College (now Auckland University of Technology). Consistently the top of her class, Joan made her qualifications in minimum time. After graduation, Joan lived nearly 6 years in London, working for two different accounting firms. In 1971, she settled in the United States, accepting a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Headhunted by Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie’s) she became their reimbursement analyst. During this time she met and married Walter “Curtiss” Oakley and they had two children, Jonathan “Jon” Oakley and Rebecca “Becca” Oakley.

Joan retired after 31 years at Children’s in 2016, allowing her passions to guide her through the rest of her years. In her retirement she traveled the United States, driving and seeing a game at every Major League Baseball stadium. She also made trips to Alaska, China, Canada, while also heading back home to New Zealand several times. She enjoyed watching every sport, but especially baseball, football, and tennis. That love of tennis was a huge source of joy near the end of her life watching the celebration of 100 years on Center Court at Wimbledon this year. In her down time between travels she threw herself into her love of history, books and Sudoku.

Joan was preceded in death by her mother, Brysson; father, Allen; brother, Vic; and husband, Curtiss. She is survived by her brother, Bryce and sister-in-law, Christine; her son, Jon and daughter-in-law, Tori; daughter, Becca and son-in-law, Erik; and her four amazing grandchildren: Destiny Oakley, Curtiss Oakley, Henry Bay, and Gavin Bay.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers or donations take a trip to a new place or a sporting event in honor of Joan.