JOAN CHANDLER

JOAN CHANDLER
Mrs. Joan Chandler (husband James Kent Chandler, predeceased December 30, 2008), passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in St. Joseph's Hospital.

Joan was born in Melville, Saskatchewan and was part of a CNR family growing up. They moved from town to town, mainly in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The F.H. Keefe family moved to Port Arthur when she was 16. She met James (Nim) at the Port Arthur Collegiate and they fell in love. They were married for 60 years living mainly at 29 N. Hill Street with their two children Laura and James.

Joan was a librarian after high school but when the kids arrived she was a stay at home mom, with Nim working for Ontario Hydro as a lineman and later as a foreman.

As a devout Catholic, Joan was a member of the adult choir at Corpus Christi Church. She had a passion for classical music and played the organ for many weddings and funerals. She was also a member of the C.W.L. and received a 70 year pin. For three years she sang in the Alto section of the Lakehead Symphony's Messiah and also sang in the Interlink Choir for years.

Animal welfare, especially cats and dogs, is important to her. She was constantly rescuing and loving strays as a child right up until her last pet, Meg, who passed away a year ago.

Joan is survived by daughter Laura Mary (Dwight Kitchen) of Prince George, B.C.; son James Timothy (Chrisse Drumbolis) of Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver Island, B.C.; two grandsons Rick and Dan Kitchen and four grandchildren of Prince George, B.C.; Jo Drumbolis of Thunder Bay; as well as many nieces and nephews from both sides of the Chandler and Keefe families.

She was predeceased by her brothers George, Warren and James and her sisters Blanche Painchaud and Joyce Pryor. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law Ralph and Thomas and her sisters-in-law Helen Alexander and Elizabeth Kerr.

Many thanks to lifelong friend Margaret Poling, who helped Joan adjust to senior living and with her health issues later on. Joan considered Marg to be another daughter as we thought of her as a sister.

We would also like to thank the staff and P.S.W.'s for the care she received at the P.R. Cooke apartments. Mother was loved by many wonderful people there. The Bayshore Nursing Staffs' professional at home care was appreciated as well as the unsurpassed compassion and medical care received from all of the nurses and doctors at St. Joseph's Hospice.

We would also like to thank Tom and Lynda Chandler and their daughter Dr. Nicole Chandler for keeping in touch and with special pet visits with Campbell, Jo Drumbolis, Anita Schick and Terry and Dave Marcon, plus pet Diamond, for being good friends and sharing memories on their frequent visits. Thank you to Stuart and Willie McKay for their friendship and support.

Joan's loving, supportive nature and her humourous wit will be missed by all.

Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Joan Chandler will be held on Friday October 25, 2024, with family and friends assembling in Corpus Christi Church, for a Funeral Mass at 10:00am, celebrated by Father Rey Ronquillo. Interment will follow in the family plot in Riverside Cemetery. All are welcome to visit with the family up to one hour post service. Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends desire, memorial donations to the Thunder Bay District Humane Society or a Charity of Your Choice would be appreciated.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com