Joan Hazel Smallwood was born May 3, 1933, in York, England, and died June 23, 2023, in Vancouver, Canada. She is survived by her husband, Gerald, daughter, Joy and son-in-law, Thomas, son, Peter, and extended family in Yorkshire, England. She leaves behind many long-time friends in Vancouver and, from her extensive travels, many others worldwide.
Evacuated to the countryside during World War II, Joan grew up with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins Joan, Shirley, and Robin, in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. Joan attended York College for Girls, and Pitman secretarial college in York, England.
In 1957, Joan and her husband, Gerald, embarked on a grand adventure to Canada in the New World. Joan worked winter months in Vancouver law offices, and summers in the office at the North Pacific cannery on Skeena River near Prince Rupert, BC, where Gerald was the Port Engineer.
They were later in the real estate business, owning a number of apartment buildings. Joan played multiple vital roles: office manager, apartment manager, and applied her great business acumen. Somehow, she also managed to find the time to raise their two children, Joy and Peter. She was an involved and interested parent.
Joan loved the church and was a leading member of the Sanctuary Guild at St. John's (Shaughnessy) Anglican Church. She was also a long term member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
Those who knew her know what a big heart Joan had, and how she shared that heart with those who did, and did not, know her. On holidays, there were always a few more seats at the table available for the "waifs and strays," as she affectionately called them, who were not able to spend that holiday day with loved ones. Joan's Christmas Open House was well-known to many indeed.
Joan and Gerald, (and later, accompanied by the children), traveled the world together for many years. Joan often talked about their travel adventures, which always brought a smile to her face and to those of her audience.
Without doubt, Joan lived a long and very full life. While we miss her and grieve, we can take comfort knowing that she did not miss any opportunities to experience the many facets of life, to spread a lot of love, and indeed, we can take comfort in knowing that she left the world a better place than she found it.
A Memorial Mass will be held for Joan at Kearney Funeral Services Vancouver Chapel (450 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1E2) on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 11:00am.