Joan M Podgornik

Our dear Mother, Grandma, and Great-Grandma, Joan Podgornik, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on May 20, 2026, at the age of 84. Surrounded by love, she spent her final moments at her home in Vernon, held in the arms of her daughter.

Joan is survived by her three children, Martin (Cheryl), AnnMarie (Kevin), Kathryn (Scott); her grandchildren David (Ariana) and Daniel (Izzy), Brett, Adam, Sabrina, Mitchell, Jacob; and her precious great-granddaughter, Francesca "Frankie". She leaves behind her sweet and cherished dog "Penny" who will be lovingly cared for by her daughter Kathryn in Alberta.

Joan was born in Chatham, Ontario, on October 4, 1941. From an early age, she was influenced by the kindness and guidance of family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and parish nuns. Intelligent, independent, and self-reliant, Joan grew into a compassionate woman whose strength and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her.

On November 11, 1961, Joan married the love of her life, Albert Podgornik, in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Together for 48 years, they built a life grounded in love, hard work, faith, and family.

When the children were young, they moved to Armstrong, British Columbia in 1969 and settled into rural life in a home that Albert built. Life in British Columbia brought challenges. Far from relatives, one car, and raising three young children, Joan at times felt lonesome for the familiar. Yet she met every challenge with resilience and grace. Through the kindness of neighbours she made lasting friendships, Armstrong became home. Joan devoted herself to her family, embracing the demands of small farm life and caring for her husband and children with unwavering love.

Family was always at the heart of Joan’s life. In the 1970s, she and Albert welcomed her parents from Ontario to live nearby in a small home on their property. Joan believed deeply in caring for loved ones and staying connected across generations. Even after Albert’s passing, she remained a constant source of love and support for her children and grandchildren. Her greatest legacy is the importance she placed on family togetherness—a gift that continues to unite her family today.

In 1980, Joan and Albert purchased the Dairy Queen in Vernon. While the two of them stewarded a successful family business, Joan never lost sight of what mattered most. She was, above all, a devoted mother. No matter how busy life became, there was always a warm after school meal waiting at home and the comfort of knowing she was there for her family.

After selling the business in 1990, Joan embraced retirement with gratitude and enthusiasm. She encouraged education and lifelong learning, earning her Health Care Aide certification from Okanagan College in Vernon.

Joan and Albert shared many happy adventures together, including trips to Reno and Las Vegas. After Albert's passing in 2010, Joan faced profound loss with remarkable courage. She bought a condo, created a new home for herself, and continued to live independently while remaining closely connected to her family.

A woman of faith and curiosity, Joan traveled to Medjugorje in Bosnia and also visited Portugal. She treasured time spent with all of her children and grandchildren in Vernon, Vancouver, and Calgary visiting them often. She also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with her daughter and son-in-law. She found immense joy in celebrating family milestones and especially treasured becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother, a role she cherished deeply.

Joan found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: hosting our traditional Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving dinners, baking, reading, gardening, long walks with her dogs, visiting friends, and working on jigsaw puzzles. At Regency Court, where she lived, she became known for her love of puzzles and the friendships she formed around the library table. Joan’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the residents there for their friendship and the beautiful flower memorial displayed in the library in mom's honour. It was a touching tribute to a woman who spent many joyful hours there and whose presence brought comfort, laughter, and companionship to so many.

To us, Mom was our constant. She taught us the value of family, hard work, kindness, and perseverance through the example she set every day. Her love was steady, her support unwavering, and her home was always a place where we felt welcomed and cared for. Though we will miss her deeply, we are grateful for the years we shared, the memories she gave us, and the lessons she leaves behind. We take comfort in knowing that her love continues to live on in each of us and in the family she cherished so dearly. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her children, grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends.

Joan’s Celebration of Life (Cremated) will be held at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home 4303 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC, on Friday August 28, 2026 @ 10:00 AM. The officiant is Rev. Father Peter Nguyen.

Interment will be a private ceremony, for immediate family only, and will take place at Pleasant Valley Cemetery following the funeral celebration.

In lieu of flowers, those family and friends who wish to make memorial contributions, in memory of Joan may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC, Okanagan, Kootenay Area, #4 - 1551 Sutherland Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9. (Written by Kathryn Kelemen)

Link to Pleasant Valley Memorial: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/vernon-bc