Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Kelowna Hospice House on May 20, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Joan is survived by her husband Bryan, her children Heather and Alan (Francesca), her brother Richard (Iris), her sister Gail (Paul), her two grandchildren Penelope and Dominic, her nieces Tracey, Julie, Jennifer, Cindy, Danielle, and Amy, and her nephews Jeff, Greg, Curtis, and Chris.
Joan was predeceased by her father Malcolm (2001) and her mother Irene (2004). Joan was born in Trail in 1940. Joan studied education at the University of Victoria and began her teaching career in Rossland. Later she taught in Cranbrook, Kimberly, various school districts around Tsawassen, and inTelkwa, and Smithers; retiring in 1999.
Joan met her husband of 44 years, Bryan, while teaching in Cranbrook. Bryan and Joan were married in Trail in 1968. Both of their children were born in Cranbrook. The family moved a few times over the years with stops in Kimberly, Tsawassen, and Smithers. Bryan and Joan moved to Kelowna in 2007 to enjoy their retirement closer to family.
Joan was a truly caring person, always worried more about others than her self. She enjoyed many hobbies with some of her favourites being painting, knitting, quilting, gardening, and playing bridge. Joan enjoyed the outdoors particularly skiing, golfing, and swimming. Every year the family would gather at the summer cottage at Christina Lake. Joan enjoyed watching her family and extended family enjoying the lake.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Sindi Hawkins Centre, the staff of the Central Okanagan Hospice House, and Dr. Derek Adam for their loving care. We would also like to thank the many friends and family for their many cards, visits and phone calls over the past few weeks.
A funeral service will be held at St. Michael's and All Angels Cathedral, 608 Sutherland Ave Kelowna on Monday May 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Okanagan Hospice House.