Joan Althea Thomas passed away peacefully in her home on September 14th, 2012
Joan was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, on March 10, 1926. She was the first child of Amy Althea Leach (Bury) and Charles Basil Leach. She had a sister, Amy (deceased) who married and moved to New Zealand. She had a brother, John, who lives in London, England.
Joan received a degree in Agriculture from the University of Durham. She got her first job in Manchester inspecting grain ships. There she joined the Karabiner Mountaineering Club where she met her husband Arthur. After the birth of their first son they immigrated to Canada, living in Vancouver followed by Namu, Fraser Lake, Fort St John, and then retirement in Nelson where she and Arthur have resided since 1989.
Joan is survived Arthur and their 6 children, Richard, Paul (Regina), Althea (Mike), Bridget (Robert), Karen, and Owen (Carrie-Ann), as well as numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Joan had a full life, raising her children with a love for the outdoors. She was a very keen swimmer, especially enjoying alpine lakes. She made many friends playing bridge and was a Life Master. She also enjoyed Scottish Country dancing, the symphony and foreign travel.
The funeral will be at The Church of Latter-day Saints, Nelson, on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Osteoporosis Society of Canada. Many thanks to all who visited and helped out in the last few months, with a special thanks to Dr. Jim Noiles, and the team from Interior Health.
On Line condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.