May 23, 2025
In loving memory ~
On Friday May 23, 2025, Joan Ardis Wood passed away peacefully at the age of 87, at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson BC. Joan was born in Camrose Alberta to Fred and Ida Wagner, and she was the sixth of nine children. She lived in many places throughout her life from Edmonton Alberta to Peterborough Ontario and finally came to BC where she made Nelson her forever home with her Husband Neal.
If you asked 100 people who Joan Wood is, they would all give you a different answer. She is a Wife, a Mother, a Mother-in-law, a Grandmother, a Fur-Grandmother, and a Great Grandmother. She is also Mom, Mommy-Dearest, Gramma X, Joanie, a Best Friend, a Sister, an Eclectic Collector, a Strong Woman and a Survivor. To us she is all of this and much, much more.
At a young age Joan worked for Alberta Fruit where she met her husband Neal, and they were together for 58 years. They started their young family in Alberta and moved to Peterborough Ontario to open an A&W. It is here where she met her kindred spirit Mary Whitmore and found her passion for Antiques and Collectibles. When Joan wasn't making her favorite (Whistle Dogs & Onion rings) she would often be found at the local auctions or setting up the Flea Market on the A&W lot. Eventually Neal and Joan made the decision to move back to Edmonton Alberta where she worked in retail and often sold at Flea Markets and Antiques & Collectible Shows. In the early 90's they moved to Nelson BC where it would become their forever home. It was here where she opened her dream store Joan's Collectibles and could be found long after retirement having her Garage Sales on Nelson Ave. For Joan and Neal, it was all about chatting with old, dear friends and meeting new ones too.
Joan had a passion for Collecting, Antique Shows and Garage Sales which introduced her to a lifelong group of best friends (Donna, Earle, Alice, Valerie, Bea and John). They would get together at A&W every Saturday morning to share laughs and a lifetime of stories. Joan deeply missed her dear friend Georgina, and they often said they were truly Sisters who should have met sooner in life.
Joan is predeceased by her Husband Neal, her Father Fred and Mother Ida Wagner, her siblings Fred, Glen, Rita, Dennis, Bob, Gary, Sharon and her son-in-law St. Clair Morris. She is survived by her sister Carol Beadman of Peterborough.
Joan is the loving mother of Judith Wood (St. Clair Morris) of Peterborough, Marvin (Bernice) Toma of Sherwood Park, Tracey (Reid) Walper of Calgary, Trevor Wood of Edmonton and Shannon Wood of Nelson. She is the cherished Grandmother of Mark & Brad Toma, Jessica & Katie Walper, and Christopher, Brandon & Breanna Wood. She is the proud Great Grandmother of Cecilia & Everly Baty.
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to Dr Courtney Collins and ALL the staff at Mountain Lake Seniors. You are our mother's extended family. You comforted and cared for her during some of the most challenging times. You were there through all the laughs and all the tears over the last two years. You always made sure she looked absolutely exquisite right down to the necklaces she wore. Each one of you gave her a special place in your heart and you will always hold one in ours.
At Joan's request a Cremation has taken place. A burial at Fort Steele near Cranbrook BC and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see the Thompson Funeral Service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca
Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
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