Joan Elizabeth Bristow

It is with great sadness we share that our mother, Joan Elizabeth Bristow (nee Gough) passed away peacefully late in the evening of November 12, 2025 at the age of 92.

Mom’s life was the very definition of “a life well lived”. It’s impossible to talk about everything she did but we will do our best.

Born in Kamloops June 21, 1933, to David and Allene Gough. Grandpa was a railway man so mom’s early years included living in Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince Albert and Vancouver. After graduating from high school in PA, mom went to the University of British Columbia and earned her bachelor’s degree in microbiology. It was there that she met dad our, Jim Bristow (1931 – 1993), her one and only. Dad was a geologist so more adventures followed. Throughout their 36 years of marriage, they lived in Canex, Merritt (both in BC), Johannesburg (South Africa), Bathurst (New Brunswick), Kamloops, Victoria and Richmond before retiring in Celista, BC. She then spent her last few years in Kamloops.

Mom worked full time in hospital and private labs, as well as some time in cancer research. Most of her retirement years were spent in the North Shuswap, where she was a dedicated volunteer with a number of societies, the Chamber of Commerce … pretty much anywhere someone needed a very capable hand.

Mom loved to travel, visiting 30 different countries. She loved culture, languages, different foods and meeting people. She had a voracious appetite for reading, and was very interested in Canadian and world politics. She was one of the earliest rebels in the women’s liberation movement, not afraid to express her opinion about equality among the sexes. Not just in words, but also in action … like hanging bras and panties on a statue in PA when she was in high school (much to the indignation of her father who, at the time, was railway station chief for the region and dear friends of future Prime Minister John Diefenbaker).

Mom and Dad raised two wonderful children, Tanis (Rodger, 1957 – 2019) and Robin, and managed to keep them mostly out of trouble. She adored her grandchildren Ashleigh (Rob) and Nathan (Alexandra), and was absolutely smitten by her great granddaughters Myla and Willow. She also adored our South African family, and was so very proud of everything they all achieved in often very difficult circumstances.

At mom’s request, she was cremated and her ashes taken to be with dad. She asked that no service be held, only that people remind themselves of the great times we all shared together.

If anyone is inclined to make a donation in her memory please consider the North Shuswap Community Hall Association, the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge Society, or the University of British Columbia.

Mom is at peace now, and pain free. Without a doubt, she, dad, Rodger, Mashudu and Rodger’s dad John are sitting together, surrounded by decades of family dogs, scotches in hand, having heavy debates on which scotch is better, and on how best to cook salmon. We miss her. Thank you for being our mom, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

Condolences can be sent to the family via www.schoeningfunealservice.com

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service 250-374-1454