Joslin Anne Kobylka

Joslin Anne Kobylka, age 87, passed away on January 15, 2025, at Vancouver General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her son Johnny (Jesse), her daughter Janine (David), and her three cherished grandchildren, Charlie, Bailey, and James. She is predeceased by her brother Robert Alan Hedley.

A lifelong Vancouverite, Joslin grew up in Shaughnessy, graduating from Prince of Wales Secondary with friends she kept in touch with her whole life. Joslin dedicated much of her life to community and public service with a more than 40-year career in recreation. Beginning in the 1950s as a playground leader for the Vancouver Park Board while pursuing her Sociology degree at UBC, she went on to hold leadership roles in community centres and social planning. She returned to the Park Board as a recreation manager, concluding her career as the Manager of Central Recreation Services where she contributed to the development of the Roundhouse Community Centre before her retirement. As well, she served on the Board of Directors for the YWCA, an organization dear to her heart, where, in 1997, she was nominated for a Woman of Distinction Award in Recreation, Sport, and Active Living. Always generous with her guidance, encouragement, and a warm smile, she fostered lifelong friendships and lasting connections with her colleagues throughout her career.

While she forged a meaningful path in her professional life, Joslin was also busy raising her two children Johnny and Janine as a single mother, modelling the quiet strength and resilience that defined the way she met challenges. Always approaching a situation with patience and positivity, she instilled in her children an appreciation of authenticity, the importance of recognizing one’s feelings, and finding perspective. She was an unwavering source of support, counsel, and unconditional love. In her later years, she extended this love as “Gamma” to her three treasured grandchildren. She nurtured in them an appreciation of the arts, a passion for adventure, and a receptiveness to learning from new experiences. Her grandchildren were, without doubt, her pride and joy, a source of vitality and sustenance in her retirement.

Upon retiring in 1997, Joslin carried on her legacy of service by continuing to work with the Roundhouse and the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Her “golden years” also afforded her the long-desired time to travel. She brought her sense of curiosity, openness to adventure, and interest in other people on excursions to China, the Middle East, Mexico, Hawaii, and multiple trips to Europe. As one of the founding members of the Vancouver Art Guild, retirement also allowed Joslin to realize a long-held desire to take up watercolour painting, finding new joy in artistic and creative expression – although it was perhaps the many painting trips, plein air workshops, and great friends she made that kept her involved for so long. She valued the arts and community deeply, patronizing numerous local music, theatre, and arts organizations both with her attendance and generous donations.

In her later years, Joslin faced numerous health challenges, most notably a cancer diagnosis, with courage, pragmatism, and grace. True to form, she kept a positive attitude and a sense of humour throughout, more interested in the lives of her caregivers and fellow patients than she was in her own struggles.

Joslin’s ability to foster connections and relationships with others is one of her most lasting legacies. There is a long list of friends, family, and acquaintances who can speak to her ability to listen, and to offer guidance where needed and counsel without judgement. She took a genuine interest in other people, forever willing to lend an ear, freely sharing her encouragement and sense of humour. And while she always had valuable advice and perspective to give, it is her quiet example of how to live life authentically and true to one’s values that will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Her family extends their heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Vancouver General Hospital and the Assisted Dying Program for their incredible care and kindness during her final days. As well, they wish to acknowledge the wonderful doctors and nurses at the BC Cancer Agency for their dedication over the past decade, helping to give her so many extra quality years with her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make memorial donations to one of Joslin’s favoured organizations: the BC Cancer Foundation, The Vancouver YWCA, the Stanley Park Ecology Society, or the local arts organization of your choice.