Joan passed away peacefully, Friday, March 7, 2014, surrounded by the love of her family. Joan is survived by her loving children: Lee of Kamloops, Janice (Al)Stewart of Kamloops, Neil (Krista) of Salmon Arm and Andrea of Abbotsford, her brother Alan (Jenny) Skilton of Caterham, Surrey, England, grandchildren: Marla, Shannon, Whitney, Joleen, great-grandchildren: Mathew, Jordyn, Devin, Hayden. Joan is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joan was pre-deceased by her husband, Doug, sister Sylvia & husband Eric, sister-in-law Ena and husband Wilfred.
Joan was born May 19,1923, in Caterham England to Lily and Sidney Skilton (deceased). She was a telephone operator during WWII and met a Canadian soldier, Douglas Kenney. They married July 10, 1943 and she became one of the many British war-brides arriving in Canada the end of May 1945. Her new home was the Village of Wawota, Saskatchewan, where Doug’s parents, William & Elizabeth Kenney (deceased) lived. Lee, Janice and Neil were born during that time. In 1956, the family moved to Salmon Arm where Andrea was born to complete the family. Joan loved Salmon Arm and embraced her new home. She became involved with the St John’s Anglican Church Guild, the Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Girl Guides, War-Brides Association, Churches of Salmon Arm Thrift Shop and was known as Mrs. Santa Claus in Salmon Arm during the Christmas season. She and Doug were also Park Hosts for the Provincial Park system for a number of years.
Joan spent her last 8 years at Shuswap Lodge, where she received excellent loving care and support by the entire compassionate staff and her family thanks you for this care. Joan’s family would like to express sincere thanks to her wonderful caring doctor, Dr Heunis, “my dear Doctor Adrian”, the entire nursing staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital for the highest level of care and compassion and Community Care, Salmon Arm, for their assistance.
Donations in Joan’s memory would be gratefully appreciated to Shuswap General Hospital Foundation.
A Celebration of Joan’s life will be held Monday, March 17, 2014 at 11:00 A.M at St John’s Anglican Church, Salmon Arm, BC. The family would like to thank each and everyone for their thoughts, prayers and phone calls and in the words of our Mom, “God Bless You”.
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, BC.