March 5, 2024
Joan passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2024, at the age of 93. Joan was born in Edmonton, and was raised in Vancouver and later, Burnaby.
Predeceased by her loving husband of sixty-six years, Geoffrey, Joan is survived by her sister Gwen (Gavan), daughter, Nancy (Rock), son Jim (Seana-Lee), grandson Christopher (Victoria), granddaughter Alyssa, great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Alexandra, Gwynevere and Katherine.
She is also survived by her treasured nieces and nephews and her "adopted" family members who called her Granny, Gigi or Ma.
Joan met Geoff, the love of her life, on the ski hill. He famously asked her to marry him on their first date and having eventually said "yes", Joan married Geoff and created a rich family life.
Winter weekends were spent skiing, skiing, and more skiing, summer weekends boating, fishing, and taking road trips. Joan and Geoff took advantage of new opportunities, leaving the Lower Mainland to live for ten remarkable years in the Yukon, returning to build on the Sunshine Coast, later moving to Abbotsford and then settling for their longest stretch lakeside, in Hope.
Travel was a priority for Joan, and she and Geoff toured much of the world, collecting cherished friends and memories.
Joan was admirable. She seemed to have boundless energy. During high school, Joan did her homework on the streetcar, travelling from Burnaby to Vancouver General, where she worked in the hospital laundry. She was determined to earn the tuition to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.
She was a rare working mother in her day, proud to be a professional and passionate about her role as a "phys ed" teacher and basketball coach.
Joan had the gift of hospitality. Her recipe files bulged, and she always laid a beautiful table.
In retirement, Joan was an avid volunteer. She became Charter President of the Hope Crime Prevention Society and was awarded the 2002 Kenneth M. Lemkert Community Policing Award for her dedication and leadership.
Joan was known for her devotion to her husband and her family. She will be missed and remembered as the family matriarch.
The family would like to thank Joan's doctor, Dr. Allison Salter, for her unfailing kindness, understanding and advocacy as well as our family and friends for their support and prayers.