Joan Anne Dickson Forsyth

July 16, 1936 - August 03, 2025

BORN

July 16, 1936

DIED

August 03, 2025

Joan Forsyth Obituary

It is with great sadness, Joan Anne Dickson Forsyth passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospice, Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 at the age of 89. Born July 16, 1936 in Edinburgh Scotland. Preceded by her mother Alice Laird Forsyth and father Joseph Dickson Forsyth. Survived by Scotland cousins: Sandra, Morag, Evyln, Colin and Douglas, many great Victoria friends and godson Ken. Anne has always been a care giver starting in Scotland. She started her nursing career in 1960 educating at Central Midwives board of Scotland and was a Midwife at the General Nursing council of England and Wales. She later continued her education and became a Lieutenant of the Our Land Forces allowing her to travel all over while working. Anne later moved to Ottawa, Canada and educated to become a registered nurse. Then later moved to Vancouver Island and continued her education as an RN and worked at a few different hospitals, invested in some real estate and ended up Head nurse at VGH for her last few years until her retirement in 1994. Since then she enjoyed traveling, volunteering her time to different societies and often drove people to appointments when they couldn't get there. She loved living on Oak Bay Ave and was often seen scampering down the sidewalk taking care of her errands. Anne was such a strong independent woman. She sure loved life and good food. She really did have an exceptional life that she lived on her terms. I think you will agree, we are all very blessed to have known and loved her. Rest in Peace Anne. Lord knows you deserve it! There will be 2 memorial services in the coming months. One in Victoria and one in Scotland. Will keep you informed once we know the dates.

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Published by The Times Colonist from Aug. 16 to Aug. 18, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Forsyth

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6 Entries

Deborah Walker

Earlier today

Anne was one of those people who made your life brighter simply by having a chat with her. Her kindness, wit, and deep intelligence always shone through and, as others have said, her fierce independence was admirable . She was dedicated to her career in Nursing and has passed that dedication on to the Nursing program at UVic. A truly wonderful person. Well done, Anne!

Dawn

Yesterday

Anne was one of my neighbours and became a dear friend over time. What a blessing that was.

She was the most caring and compassionate person I have ever known; her caring extended beyond people and included animals and the environment. One of the things I will remember about her is what a staunch recycler she was - she took recycling seriously! I know my saying that would have made her chuckle.

Anne was also an extremely thoughtful and generous person. I have no doubt there was a plethora of kind acts Anne did for people and organizations throughout her life. She would take the time to listen to someone who was going through a difficult time, think some more about their situation when she was alone, and then offer support and advice and help in any other way she could. If you were in her inner circle, you could be sure that she would remember your birthday and be thinking of you during holidays, and would do something to let you know that you mattered, that she cared, and make that day a little extra-special for you. Even during her final days she was thinking of others and doing kind acts.

I love the photo that was chosen for this obituary; with Anne wearing one of her striped shirts with a tray of sweets... that was so Anne. She enjoyed her sweets! Being a true Scot, she appreciated good scones and shortbread, and looked forward to Ken's (her godson) shortbread every Christmas, which was his mother's recipe, and whom had gone to nursing school with Anne.

Not a day has gone by that I don't think of Anne. I will miss our "tea dates" in her suite and trips to Murchie's... the laughs we shared. I learned a lot from her that I will keep with me forever. I hope she knew how special her friendship and our time together meant to me and how much I admired her. She was a special person.

Caroline (apt 201)

August 18, 2025

I enjoyed several conversations with Anne. I never could manage to remember the cat's name that she adopted a few years ago. We would often wave at each other when we were both on our balconies at home.

Cathy Chudley McElrea

August 18, 2025

I had the great privilege of working as a social worker with Anne on 3X, VGH, starting in 1976. She taught me a lot. Anne contributed so much to so many at the hospital and the community. I also had the great privilege of having Anne as a close personal friend. Anne was not just a friend to me but also to both my parents, and my two Yorkies, through their senior years. She last visited me in Ottawa where we teased her about loving to read "boooks". A lot of wonderful memories. Happy you are returning to Scotland.

Ruth

August 16, 2025

Anne was an amazing nurse manager, greatly respected and admired by her staff and co workers.
Nursing on Anne´s ward, the "old 3X", then transitioning to 6DN at Victoria General --the best years of my nursing career.
I will miss you, my friend.
A life well lived.
Ruth

Ilona Douglas

August 16, 2025

Dear Anne, Firstly, thank you for your friendship that spanned more than two decades. I will miss our Tuesday morning conversations and coffee at The Fern. Whenever I hear words echo through my mind, sung by Frank Sinatra, "I Did It My Way" I will think of you. You were a fiercely independent woman who definitely lived life to the fullest her way. You were an intrepid travelling woman whom I respected immensely. You never stopped learning and you had an insatiable curiosity. RIP in your beloved Scotland, Anne. You are home. Your friend, Ilona

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