Joan (Nelson) Brenn, 86, of Tolland, passed on to eternal rest on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Joan was a long time resident of Tolland, CT and was the daughter of the late Adrian and Hazel (Pratt) Nelson. She was born July 10, 1926 in Deep River, CT. After graduating from Deep River High School she joined the Army Nurse Cadet Corps and obtained her RN from Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing. World War II ended just after she finished her training and she began her RN career at Chesterfield Convalescent Home where she met and married Bailey Brenn. Joan became a full-time mom to her family which grew to 5 children. While caring for her family she became a talented seamstress and used skills learned from her mother and mother-in-law to can vegetables, fruits and jellies. Through her membership in a local homemakers club she became an accomplished crafter and needlepointer, she also enjoyed tending to her flower garden. Joan loved a wide range of musical genres, and played the piano. She was a longtime member of the United Congregational Church in Tolland and sang in the choir for over 30 years. Once her children were grown she returned to her nursing career working at the Rockville Nursing Home until she retired. Joan loved her friends, and a good laugh, but most of all to make others laugh. She along with her good friends (the GG’s), traveled, bowled on a league at the Rockville Lanes, and tried their luck at the casino. She is survived by her children Terry Brenn and his wife Linda of Southbury, Peter Brenn and his wife Jacqueline of Willington, Bailey Brenn Jr. of Ellington, Adrian Brenn and his wife Anne Erhard of Saipan, and Debby (Brenn) Burokas of Coventry. She also leaves her 5 grandchildren Megan Brenn, Heather Hendrickson, Robert Bowers, Christopher Brenn, and Eric Brenn and many nieces and nephews. Joan also leaves to mourn her passing her devoted friends, Shirley Hills of Tolland, CT and Lynn Merrill of Ellington, CT, along with her former husband Bailey Brenn Sr. of Coventry, CT. She was predeceased by her sister Cora LaMay. Relatives and friends may join the family on Friday, September 14, 2012 from 6pm to 8pm at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road (Rt. 195), Tolland, CT 06084. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11am at the United Congregational Church of Tolland, 45 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com