Danielle Charlotte Joly-Richards

She was love. She was light.

And now she rests, free, in peace, in comfort, surrounded by love.

There are so many stories. She connected easily with everyone. She was a beautiful soul who took in lost hearts, saw the person they were and gave them friendship, kindness and unconditional acceptance to get them standing tall once more. She was always her own person, fiercely independent and stylistically unique.

She was born a secret, at a time when her origins were kept hidden in the dark. Born to Jeanne, she was adopted by Jeanne’s sister, Lucie, and her husband Vic, whom she adored. She grew up always connected to her very special ‘aunt’, a bright thread tying her birth family to her intended family.

She wove worlds and people together; her Quebecoise French origins connecting to English Canadian culture, bringing Montreal flair to Edmonton and Calgary Alberta, to Ajax Ontario and to Mission B.C., sowing close friendships and building family everywhere she went.

Her humour, her outlook and her approach to life always reflected the rich fabric her life had woven. Jokes and phrases that didn’t quite translate, her love of a good cognac or fine wine (to the line) and pâté, laughing until she was soundless, she always found the adventure and light in any situation.

Her grandsons were her absolute pride. As soon as she retired, she moved to BC to be closer to them, always involved in their activities, making up their largest cheering section.

In the face of the adventure brought by glioblastoma, she was valiant in her quest to heal, to have as much time as she could with her loved ones. She fought bravely in the face of so much adversity, always finding the light in the dark.

She proudly lived to see her grandsons graduate and receive honours for their accomplishments. She got to know the young men they were becoming and who will carry her legacy of love, light and service forward.

Danielle is survived by her husband, Raymond, daughters Lee (Chris) and Erin, grandsons Donovan, Joryn and Bryson, and siblings Leo, and Carmen (Bonnie). She is predeceased by her parents Lucie and Vic, Jeanne and sisters Suzanne (George) and Lilianne (Enoil ‘Johnny’).

A visitation of remembrance will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mission BC. A Celebration of Life will be held in Spring 2025 in Mission BC. Details to be announced as available.