Joan Marilyn Karstensen

It is with overwhelming sorrow that we share with you the loss of our beloved Joan.

Joan died at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in the early morning of Sunday, June 21, with her sons and sister at her bedside.

Joan was born on April 1, 1942 in Halifax. After the war the family moved to Victoria BC and later to Vancouver. Joan moved to Montreal as a young adult and met her late husband Chris. The couple relocated to North Vancouver with their two young boys in 1968 and then to Vernon in 1976.

Joan was predeceased by her mother, Lillian Marguerite Sehl McConnell; father, James Wilson McConnell; brother, Francis James McConnell; nephew Brian McConnell and husband Rodney (Chris) Karstensen.

Joan is survived by son Blair Anthony and two children and son Glen Kevin; sister Nancy McConnell Crawford and two children and five grandchildren; sister-in-law Marguerite McConnell and five children and grand and greatgrandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Williams. Joan was a loving grandmother to granddaughters Jessica Lee Leong (Rockland) and Shae-lin Karstensen and grandson Brandon Williams (Katelyn). Joan, affectionately known as GiGi, frequently sided with her six great grandchildren Roman, Aurora, Maverick, Layla, Dexton and Thatcher!

Joan worked for the Mercantile Bank while living in Vancouver and Montreal. In Vernon she devoted 27 years to working at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital in the admitting department and on the switchboard. She became famous throughout the hospital and was nicknamed “sexy Joan” for the sound of her voice. “Speak with a smile” was her motto.

Joan was a very active contributor to many groups in Vernon including the Powerhouse Theatre, the Crown Jewels Red Hat Society, curling, playing bridge and other card games, and most importantly she loved her God and her wonderful precious friends and family.

The family wants to thank the wonderful doctors and staff for their tremendous care of Joan at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Your care and compassion are commendable.

A funeral Mass for Joan will be held at her parish, Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, 10102 Middleton Drive, Coldstream, at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Reception to follow at the Inglewood Adult Community Club House, 1001 30th Avenue, Vernon, BC. Parking in the complex is limited, but available on 30th Avenue.

Memorial donations in Joan’s memory are welcome to Diabetes Canada, or Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, or the Powerhouse Theatre.