Joan passed away on the evening of February 15, 2014. She left the same way that she lived, quietly and without a fuss.
She was born in Newmarket, Ontario an “air force brat” and grew up in various places around Canada. After high school she went to Toronto and became an LPN. Working for two years she decided to seek the more challenging profession of a Registered Nurse. In 1973 in order to satisfy her travel bug, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces and had postings from coast to coast. One job entailed doing med-evacs in primitive conditions and sometimes in vintage aircraft and helicopters. The work was exciting and one had to rely on wits and intestinal fortitude to get through the day. Her favorite posting was a one year stint in Germany where she visited every castle up and down the Rhine River.
In civilian life her passion was medical and palliative care.
Although Joan was single all her life, for two years in the military she enjoyed the companionship of a charming gentleman from Nova Scotia. She was almost always cheerful and optimistic even during her final illness.
Wherever she moved her first step was to join the local “fat club” and although challenged all her life by weight problems, this was her main social connection and she always made friends.
Joan liked to knit, crochet and do jigsaw puzzles. She loved flowers. She cherished her feline companions, Pumpkin, Misty, Pepper, Heidi and Maggie who were most likely waiting for her at the pearly gates. I can see them, tails high, running to the gates to meet her.
For the past several years her greatest comfort was the companionship of her friends of Crossroads Methodist Church and her mentor Pastor George.
Her favorite place in the world was Hawaii and her ashes will be scattered there at a later date.
Joan is survived by he sister Kathy and brothers Allan and Wayne and children, and her two longtime friends Betty and Brenda.
We will miss you, Old Friend.
A memorial service for Joan took place on Thursday February 27, 2014 at 1:00 pm from the Crossroads Free Methodist Church, Salmon Arm, with Pastor George Fleming officiating. A reception followed the service in the Church Hall.
Online condolences may be sent through Joan’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service, Salmon Arm.