Joann Reece died peacefully at Maimonides Hospital (NY) on Friday, October 3, 2025.
She was born on November 19, 1940, in Chaguanas, Trinidad & Tobago, to Thelma Collymore and Solomon Moreno. She grew up on Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, where she began raising six children with her first husband before relocating to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in the late 1960s. Joann met Carl Joseph Reece on St. Croix, with whom she shared 42 years of marriage and two children until his passing. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work. Both were entrepreneurs who owned The Tranquility Restaurant in downtown Christiansted during the 1980s and later operated their own taxi business as proud members of the St. Croix Taxi Association.
Joann was well known for her natural talent for growing roses and other plants, her delicious Roti, and her infamous Crab and Callaloo. After moving to Lake Mary, Florida, she spent her later years enjoying history books and classic Westerns. She will be remembered for her kindness and strength, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Joann now joins in eternal rest her beloved husband of 42 years, Carl Joseph Reece; her parents, Thelma Collymore and Solomon Moreno; stepfather, John Collymore; brother, Sonny Jordan Charles; daughters, Dezarie Clarke and Valerie Clarke; son, Wendell Elijah Clarke; grandsons, Alexander Joseph O’Neal and Alexander Gordon; cousin, Ingerfield Blackman; childhood friend, Sadeek Hosein; sisters-in-law, Cynthia Reece, Carol Reece, and Jocelyn Philip; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Reece, Aldwyn Reece, Carlyle Reece, and Leroy Philip.
She leaves to cherish her memory:
Daughters: Carla Joanna Reece-Felix, Christine Clarke, Elaine Clarke, and Pauline Clarke
Son: Jezreel Carl Reece
Beloved Sons-in-law: Samuel Felix Jr. and Cylius Roland Gordon
Godson: Devon Soto
Cherished as Daughters: Debbie Ross, Rabiah George and Kimberly Crawford
Sisters-in-law: Lima Reece, Eileen Mayers, and Wanda Charles
Brothers-in-law: Kent Boyd and Glenford Reece
Siblings: Olga Boyd and Philip Charles
Cousins: Claudius & Jane Collymore
Aunt to: Steve & Amelia Reece, Kevon & Keith Manuel, Gail, Deon & Dale Philip, Ingrid & David Charles, Kurt James, Thaddeus Boyd, and Avalon Jordan
Grandchildren: Carmelo, Jantavia, Rodney, Ronelle, Chenelle, J’Nelle, Nichelle, Claynelle, Arnelle, Laurnelle, Cylius Jr., Philip, Jah-Marley, Alba, Wendell, John, Nathaniel, Frederick, Tiffany, Lisa, and Randolph, along with great-grandchildren too numerous to mention.
Special Friends: Ulla Neuberger & Family, Gloria Garcia, Annette Hendricks O’Neal & Family, Donna Christensen & Family, Meryl Maynard & Family, Peter & Celina Bodley, Cornette & Erik Barfield (FL), Vinnette & Lionel White (FL), Bill & Shelley Manson (FL), Beverly Parker (FL), Zeleena Hosein & Family and Phyllis Blackman.
Funeral services will be held on October 22 in Brooklyn, New York. Internment will be on her family estate in Trinidad & Tobago.
