Joan Ellen Sabourin

Born December 9th, 1945, in Drumheller, Alberta, Joan was raised in Alberta and attended school in Rosedale and Calgary. As a teenager, she moved with her parents to Calgary where she attended Forest Lawn high school. During high school she would rise early to share morning coffee with her parents while her two sisters slept in. These private times with her parents became cherished memories. After graduation high school she attended The University of Calgary where she met Wyatt in 1966 and earned a BEd in 1969. Joan married Wyatt in 1970 and taught grade school in Alberta for 12 years, an occupation she adored. Joan and Wyatt lived in Calgary, Alta for 10 years where one son, Drew was born, then lived for 45 years in Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island. Because there was an abundance of Teachers in Victoria during the early 1980’s, Joan worked in the British Columbia Department of Education for over twenty six years. Joan was devoted to her husband for over 55 years before succumbing to Metastasizing Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma.

Joan was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for several decades earning many rewards including from the Beta Sigma Phi City Council “Women of the Year in 2005” (highest honour) and “Girl of the Year” in 2009. She also won, from her Chapter, “Girl of the Year” in 2008.

Joan volunteered with Special Olympics for swimming and other sports, receiving a pin, in 2024 honouring her 30 years of service. Joan was particularly proud of son, Drew, when he earned a place on the Special Olympics Canada swim team and competed during the World Special Olympics Summer Games in Athens, Greece in 2011.

As a married couple, Joan and Wyatt shared many activities. While in Alberta, Joan enjoyed the serenity of camping with a holiday trailer in the Alberta foothills, and the competitive nature of Contract Bridge. Joan also enjoyed macramé and sewing. After moving to British Columbia in 1980, she worked hard to help Drew develop language skills, a monumental task. Later in the early nineties, she co-piloted small airplanes assisting Pilot Wyatt. and was brave enough to complete two Tandem Sky Dives with Wyatt. She especially enjoyed 4 Wheeling with a 1942 Willys MB in the hills around Sooke on Vancouver Island. She enjoyed camping on Vancouver Island and Snow Birding as far away as south western USA and Mexico.

Joan is survived by husband, Wyatt who remains in the house they occupied for 45 years and by son Drew of Victoria, BC.