August 11, 1932 - April 18, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we share that Joan “got her wings” on April 18, 2025. She never did have to go to “Shady Pines” due to the unwavering dedication of her caring son David with whom she lived. She was Best Friend to her daughter Alexandra who provided logistical support for Joanie to stay at home, and she shared a special bond with her loving son Charles who in recent years spent more time with the “Ol’ Bird” in Prince George than in his own home in Delta. Dr. Higgins, Linda, Mei, Debbie, Shannon and Autumn provided exceptional care to Joan who at 92 still had her sharp mind, intelligence and sense of humour.
In her last days, she listened to the creek roaring outside and was surrounded by those she loved including her son-in-law Mike Gagel with whom she shared a dry sense of humour, her tall, strong grandsons Thomas (Emi Kumada) and Nicholas, her much-loved and talented first son Howard Airey of Vancouver, and the cats and dogs who wandered in and out of her room.
She was predeceased by her good-humoured husband Stan in 2009, her dearest friend Minnie White in 1991 and her loving brother Charlie Cox in 1987. She will be deeply missed by her treasured sister Pat Kelly and loving niece Angela in Calgary, friends and extended family including Maria Brkich and Helen Usen. She enjoyed “Guys’ Night” on Fridays when all her “Boys” including Robert Greus and Trevor Dungate would come together for a meal and watch TV.
Joan was born in London, England but, at age 7, with the start of WWII, was evacuated with her younger sister to live with a kind family in Somerset for 6 years.
She received her teacher training in the UK and emigrated to Canada in 1955, drawn by the Rocky Mountains and open skies. She married Stan in Jasper and in 1960 they moved to Prince George where Joan taught several grades in the one-room Bonnett Hill School. She was a well-respected Primary educator who taught in SD57 for nearly 30 years and, with a few other progressive teachers, was instrumental in setting up the play-based model of Kindergarten in elementary schools in the early 1970’s.
With Stan, Joan formed many friendships in Prince George and in the Tabor Lake community over 65 years. She was happiest with her family enjoying a peaceful life at the lake -- cooking, baking, puttering in the greenhouse, knitting, watching English shows, reading newspapers and politicking with Stan, drinking coffee and sharing baking and fresh bread with friends who dropped by the “Homestead” on weekends. She relished trips to Vancouver to see her adult children and spend time with her then-young grandsons reading and talking. She instilled in all of us the value of education, curiosity, travel, books, the arts, design, music, family, heritage and history, civic duty, and love of place. A kind, gentle and generous soul, Joan always saw the best in everyone. Thoughtful and level-headed, strong and independent, she was an excellent sounding board and made everything seem possible. Joan lived a good life and loved us “to the moon and back.”
A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held on July 12th. Please email Alexandra at [email protected] or text her at 778-281-3961 for more information.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to BC Children’s Hospital.