Sorry to hear of Joan’s passing Greg.  She was a fun and caring neighbour. I was happy to see you were able to enjoy wintering in Arizona and  many other good times, Take care of yourself the road is a bit bumpy without your special someone by your side but you’ll make it.

Eulogy - Part 4 (final)

While Alberta was homebase, ...  BC has also big part of Joan’s life.   A honeymoon in the Okanagan.   Beaching and boating at Slocan Lake.   Checking out the New Denver market where she worked hard to avoid getting skunked.   Joan was rarely skunked while shopping. There are quite a few of us in this room who contributed significantly to the BC economy because of vacations taken in New Denver at the behest of and due to the organizational skills of Joan and Greg.   They kept good company.

 A move to Armstrong BC in the “2000 oughts’ and Joan slipped easily into “small town” lifestyle.  Not ready for retirement she got a job anchoring a local Real Estate office … she enjoyed the challenges and made enduring friends of co-workers and neighbours.

In retirement, Lake Havasu City and the Arizona desert suited Joan well.  A comfortable 5’th wheel trailer in a friendly amenity rich snowbird park.    Sunny days & sunny ways, new experiences, beautiful sunsets, new friends, and ample people watching opportunities.   Joan was very observant, a keen people watcher --- what are they up to, … what’s their story?? 

There is a term which, I’ve oft heard used in reference to Joan,   it rings true.    Her friends referred to her as a “trooper”.   Over the years, Joan dealt with a variety of significant health issues, but she faced them matter of factually, head-on and without complaint.   She was indeed a trooper.

I believe that each of us, in some way, is a better person for having known her.

Eulogy - Part 3

Joan was a good travel companion.   Val and I accompanied Joan and Greg on several trips, Vegas, Jamaica, Hawaii and we spent a lot of time together as snowbirds in Lake Havasu over several winters.   

Our first trip together was to Las Vegas.   Some of you may recall ads that would run in the Saturday weekend magazine of the Calgary Herald for Bob Stupaks Vegas World.   For a very modest cost you would get a room at the Vegas World Casino, a couple hundred dollars in Vegas World Bucks that you could use in the house casino and a wristband that granted you unlimited drinks, 24 hours a day, during your stay.   It really was a great deal.   Upon arrival we checked in and got our room-keys.    The room was a classic Vegas special … it was tiny, a circular bed filled the room and there was barely space to squeeze between the bed and the walls to get into a tiny bathroom which was so small that you could not shut the door unless you sat on the toilet.   Above the bed was a mirrored ceiling.  Val & I dropped our bags in our room and headed down to the lobby to meet the Wrights. There at the check-in desk was ANGRY JOAN …. she was “furious” and giving the desk clerks major grief … no way was she going to stay in that room.    RAGE can be effective and long story short we were both upgraded to a normal spacious rectangular room.   Thinking back, it may not have been the circular bed or the mirrored ceiling that really bothered Joan … it may have been that there was insufficient space for her humungous suitcase.   Joan famously and unabashedly … did not travel light.    That girl needed some room to spread out.

Eulogy -Part 2
 
Joan’s post Rimbey life journey included a stint spent in Red Deer prior to her arrival in Calgary.     The story that I’ve heard is that, in the mid-80’s a young Gregory John Wright was whooping it up during the Calgary Stampede when he noticed Joan perched upon a bar stool (likely sipping a Chardonnay).   We all know what that encounter led too.

Joan & Greg made their home in the Shawnessy district of Calgary.   Greg working in the Electric Supply & Sales industry and Joan in Brokerage and Finance with Jennings Capital.    Joan really enjoyed her time at Jennings and made life-long firm friends with co-workers …  a group that refers to themselves as “the Jennings girls”.

 During this period of her life Joan took up golf.    She was a joy to golf with … not bothered by the score, just out for a good time.     Joan joined a fun lady’s league at Fox Hollow  golf course and was fortunate to be able to golf in a group that included her mom, Muriel.    A story oft, laughingly told, was of mom Muriel on tee …. she gripped the driver shaft and following a mighty swing, shielded her eyes from the sun as she watched the club (not the ball) soar down the fairway.    Joan and a group of like-minded friends, went on several girls golf  trips  to places such as Radium & Waterton, … word is that on these trips the ladies strictly adhered to the motto … “what happens in Radium stays in Radium” … and I won’t say anything else about that.   I’m also not going to say anything at all about anyone swimming in the dolphin pool in the West Edmonton Mall … I’m not even going to mention that.

Eulogy -  Part 1

Joan Elaine “Maciver” Wright  1951 – 2025

 I know that Joan would be pleased to see all of you here today.   A gathering of people who shared in her life … some through business, some through friendship, some through family and some through love. 

When I was told that Joan had written a note that said she would like me to give a Eulogy at her funeral I was honoured, but surprised … why me.   Upon reflection I think it may have been due, in part to our shared connection … we were born 16 miles apart in Central Alberta “yours, mine and ours country” and although we did not meet until the “eighties” we had some shared childhood memories of people, places, events and happenings. 

Joan’s maternal grandparents, Tom and Josephine Wilton and their 3 daughters (Muriel, Jean & Vira) arrived in Rimbey in 1933 where they first managed and then purchased the business that came to be known as Wilton’s General Merchants.   A typical country store selling “dry goods, clothing, groceries & fence posts.    In 1942 a young fellow named Jim Maciver transferred from Lindberg Alberta to work at Imperial Lumber in Rimbey.    Muriel Wilton and Jim Maciver married in 1944.   The young Maciver family expanded with the arrival of first Dale and then in 1951, Joan.   Building upon their experience working at the Wilton General Merchants Jim and Muriel with Dale and Joan in tow purchased and operated stores in first Fairview and then Eckville, Alberta.  Their Eckville store was adjacent to the “Barber Shop & Pool Hall” which was owned by my Great Uncle Hans Rangen.   In 1957 the Maciver family returned to Rimbey, and they purchased the Wilton Merchants which they renamed and operated as Maciver General Merchants until 1970.

I was very devastated to hear of Joan’s passing.  I am sorry I was unable to attend her  service.  We grew up together and spent many years playing, and later as roommates, while living and studying in Calgary .  She was loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.  Rest in peace Joan - you will never be forgotten!
Myra

We once visited Joan and Greg in their home in Canada. Wonderful hosts and so accommodating. Yes, Joan was very sweet and an easygoing person. Our hearts go out to Greg at this time. Joan enjoy your fine wine in heaven! God Bless the family.       
From Larry and Carol Chorney

Sending our condolences. Joan was the nicest person we've ever met! I know she will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. RIP Joan 😞🙏🙏

So very sorry for the loss of Joan.. all my condolences to Greg and family. I will always remember the times that we shared golfing together. She was an amazing lady and will be dearly missed ❣️

OBITUARIO

Joan Elaine Wright

26 enero, 1951 – 30 marzo, 2025

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

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