Joan Elnora Mahovlic

She was predeceased by her parents, Noble and Sadie Salsman, her son Jimmy Morse, her half- sister Pauline, sisters Joy and Sharon, her brothers Douglas, Calvin and Eugene and her half-brothers Whiley and Richard.

She is survived by loving husband Mike Mahovlic, daughters Pearl (Colin) Drolet and Jory Smith; son Larry (Stephanie) Morse, all from Nova Scotia; and sons Shawn Coffill, Nanoose Bay, B.C., and Mark Coffill, Port Alberni, B.C.; step-daughter Trish (Rick) McCrate, Coquitlam; step-son Jim (Lori) Mahovlic, Calgary, Alberta; step-daughter Meg (John) Belanger, Campbell River, B.C.; step-son Paul Mahovlic, New Westminster, B.C. and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Gerald (Janet) Salsman, Coldbrook, N.S.; brother Ronald (Jeanette) Salsman, Port Alberni, B.C.; sister Madelyn Wiles, Morristown, N.S.; brother Leo (Adele) Salsman, Trail, B.C.; sister Marilyn (Allan) Teal, Trenton, Ontario; and sister Freda Salsman, Waterville, N.S. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan was the first born of twin girls on March 12, 1935 in Waterville, Nova Scotia. She was eldest of a family of 12 children joining a half-sister and two half-brothers. She went to Waterville School until attending a hair dressing school with a successful career for many years. She also drove taxi in Nova Scotia between pursuing her love of horseback riding which she enjoyed for many years.

Joan moved from Nova Scotia to Port Alberni in 1968 and worked at Mallory’s Hairdressers before going to work at Woodward’s Department Store. She was very involved with Grace Lutheran Church for countless years, belonging to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and teaching numerous children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Joan and Mike were married for 23 wonderful years together before Joan’s health began to fail and she moved into Echo Village 3 years ago.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Echo Village for everything, also to Pastor Platz for his spiritual support. There will be a funeral service for Joan at Grace Lutheran Church, 4408 Redford Street, Port Alberni, B.C. on Monday, March 25, 2019, at 1:30pm with a tea to follow.

Flowers are gratefully declined but if you wish to do so, donations to Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund would be greatly appreciated.