Sep 9, 1928 - May 5, 2018
It is with profound sadness that the family of Joan Reichardt announce that Mum passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 5th, 2018. Mum was born on September 9th, 1928 in Richmond, Surrey, England. She was raised by a very loving extended family and always enjoyed sharing childhood memories of her many trips to the seaside and shopping trips up to London.
Her charmed life changed in 1939 with the outbreak of WW2. Mum's days now meant carrying a gas mask with her school bag and many trips to the air raid shelter. Even with a war going on, Mum and her girlfriends were still able to have some fun attending the many dances put on for the servicemen stationed nearby. On December 2nd, 1944 at one of these dances her life would forever change when she met her tall red-headed Canadian soldier, Johnny. On June 29th, 1945 they were married at the Registry Office in Norbiton, England. As a War Bride, Mum sailed from Southampton, England to Halifax, NS on a War Bride ship, the Lady Rodney. She arrived in Halifax on May 24th, 1946 and from there had a long train ride to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Their five children were born in Saskatoon and in 1968 the entire family moved to Nelson.
Soon after arriving in Nelson Mum assumed responsibility for Nelson & District Home Support. Mum was very proud of what she was able to accomplish during her career as the Administrator of Nelson & District Home Support. A lifelong volunteer, Mum strongly believed in giving back to her community and continued to make a difference right up to her passing.
She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and GG, as well as a willing advocate for others. When Mum wasn't 'righting the wrongs' in the world, she could be found puttering in her garden and when she couldn't be found at all, it was because she was off on one of her amazing trips. She loved to travel and was fortunate to have had many wonderful adventures with Dad and in more recent years her children, who were always happy to join her.
She was also a voracious reader, prolific knitter, and a demon at family Trivial Pursuit matches. On her trips to Victoria, Mum would visit various garden centres with her willing accomplice, her eldest son Stephen, to purchase bulbs, seeds and plants to take back to Nelson. Her youngest son, Michael, would then dutifully dig up more lawn to plant Mum's newest acquisitions.
Above all else, the most important thing in Mum's life was her family and she was proud of each and every one of us. Mum was predeceased by the love of her life, Johnny, on June 9th, 1996.
She is survived by her children Stephen (Rose) of Victoria; Janet (George) Leahy of Nelson; Lorna (Earl) Staten of Nelson; Kathryn Olson of Victoria; Michael (Wendy West) of Nelson.
Her Grandchildren Erin (Jason) Franklin of Nelson; Dylan Leahy of Nelson; Allison Staten of Kelowna; Chad (Marleah) Staten of Nelson; Kyle (Katie) Olson of Victoria; Jaryd (Hannah Lise) Olson of Vancouver; Caitlin (Dylan LeBrun) Olson of Victoria.
Her Great Grandchildren Gavin Franklin, Nash Staten, and Asher Olson. Also Sister-in-Law Mary (Ruben) Peters of Saskatoon, 1 nephew & 4 nieces and cousin Mike (Gina) Fisher of England.
A force to be reckoned with, Mum was an inspiration to her family, the voice of reason, and an advocate for many. A Celebration of Mum's life will be held at the Prestige Inn on Saturday, June 30, 2018 from 2 - 4 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, 3 View St., Nelson, BC V1L 2V1 or Friends of Nelson Elders, Box 1064, Nelson, BC V1L 6H3