Joan Lilian Third

Joan passed away at Blenheim Lodge in Vancouver two months after celebrating her milestone 100th birthday.

Predeceased by her parents Lilian and William Stokes, and her sister, Anne James, she will be dearly missed by her children Pamela, Linda (Derek), Shirley (Kevin), Janice (Dave) and Jeffrey; her English relatives, especially her brother-in-law Patrick James and Patrick's and Anne's children, Beccy, Sarah, Mike and John; and the remaining members of her once large circles of Canadian and English friends.

Born in London, England, Joan's formal education was interrupted by WW II. During the war, she served as a proud member of the WAAF of the British Royal Air Force. In 1953, Joan immigrated to Vancouver, where she met and married Doug and started a family. Then, always drawn to the seaside, and now with five children, she spent about ten years in Crescent Beach and White Rock. Subsequently, now a single parent, she returned to Vancouver and she and the children settled in the Dunbar area, where Joan was a longtime fixture.

Joan's beautiful speaking voice helped her obtain excellent jobs with the Canadian Federal Public Service, including a much-loved position with the Federal Department of Justice.

Joan regularly attended the theatre; kept fit through ballroom dancing, swimming, tennis, and ice-skating; was a wonderful, prolific, letter-writer; and, after moving back to Vancouver, frequently returned to White Rock to enjoy an ocean dip and some fish and chips, and to visit old friends.

Thanks to the staff at Blenheim Lodge during the past year, and to the home support staff at Vancouver Coastal Health who enabled Joan to stay at home (with Pam) until she was almost 99.

Joan retained her wit, keen observational skills, beautiful speaking voice, and astonishing vocabulary until the end. (Yes, 'charabang' really is a word!)

Mum, you will always be in our hearts and we will never forget you. We love you so much. Rest in peace.