Joan Freeman

July 8, 2013

Hello June,

We have just now received your message about Joan Freeman.

She enjoyed life and all her friends, she will be sadly missed.

Was very surprised to hear she was so ill, someone had sent us an e-mail a few weeks ago about her.

Hope you had a good turnout and service for her.

Thank you for letting us know, even if it is late. Can you please add our names to her list on line; we are on slow dial up out here.

Kind
Regards

Jenifer & Larry Wolf

(transmitted by June Gurney)

Joan's husband, John coached me, along with Al Rader, from the time I was 9 years old. Initially, VOC ran on the track at Vancouver Technical High School. I was the youngest participant and tagged along behind Barb Fridge, Jana Lundy and Heather Campbell. The other group to share the track was Optimist Striders under the care of John Minicello. He worked with Harry and Valerie Jerome. I had many heroes to worship but the woman I looked up to was Irene Piatrowski. John took me under his wing and spent numerous years and countless hours encouraging my development. As a national team member, I was lucky to meet many interesting and inspiring individuals through Joan and John. We shared many great giggles and a few tears. After John passed away, Joan and I stayed in touch. I am very honoured that I was invited to her service.

Joan made it her purpose in life to keep in touch with everyone that she knew with her computerized cards and lovely messages that she sent to everyone she knew.

I know her passing has left a large hole in my life. I miss her quick wit, sunny disposition and extraordinary memory that she had. Just show her a dance once and it was in her memory forever. She was an inspiration to me and kept me choreographing dances to videotape - so she could demo them with me. For 3 days after her passing - I received numerous phone calls - and when I answered the phone there was no-one there.. It was as if Joan was telling me to get cracking and start choreographing some more dances.........What a strange feeling..............

Thanks again for the wonderful effort you made on Joan/s behalf.

Best wishes to all.

August 23, 2013

I came to know Joan when her relationship was initiated with John Freeman the man who became her husband. Fondly I remember Joan giving support, encouragement and help to John who was a track and field innovator and leader of the sport of Athletics. The interest that Joan showed in John's vocation and the support that she gave him would have gone a long way to assisting John in bringing so many young people to world prominence in the sport of Athletics.

In reading the entries on this blog, I know that Joan was a leader in her own right and so well respected by her many friends and family. It's with sadness that I have learned of Joan's death but it is wonderful to know that she had a life so well served.

Gerry Swan, Abbotsford, BC

I have known Joan since about 1977-78. Joan was working for the Public Service Adjudication Board and I was working for Merv Chertkow, a lawyer in Kamloops who practiced in mediation, arbitration and general commercial matters. I met Joan through our telephone exchanges arranging for mediation and arbitration meetings for the Board and Mr. Chertkow. I was very fortunate to have met Joan face-to-face for a brief time when Mr. Chertkow flew me to Victoria for a course at the Registrar of Companies offices and he arranged a "stop-over" in Vancouver so I could meet with Joan. I think this was in the fall of 1978. We had a lovely lunch together and I so enjoyed her energy! Such a personable lady with a great sense of humour!
I was amazed that Joan never once forgot my birthday from the date we met up to and including my last birthday on May 10, 2013 - always sending a lovely card and lengthy note updating me on her life! She also remembered my twin sons' birthdays when they were young. ...I know Joan will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Such a dear soul she was - kind and generous. I will very much miss her emails letters and phone chats. (posted by Valerie Fuller)

I was sorry to hear of Joan's death...Joan was more than just a patient to me. I also considered her my friend. The world has lost another good soul. I hope she didn't have to suffer too long. My deepest sympathy to you and her other friends. Thank you again for keeping me informed. (posted by Valerie Fuller)

Needless to say, I was shocked to hear your news (that Joan had passed away). I never had any idea that Joan was sick. She certainly kept it to herself.
I'm looking back many years now to when we met working in the Companies Office for the Government. Everyone liked Joan and consequently she was teased too much, but she always took it as it was meant. Our desks were together so you can imagine how we talked, but those were the good old days, and when she left there was a void. ... I left my job and took a jaunt over to Holland where my brother was stationed for awhile in the Canadian Scottish...Strangely, Joan and I never met again but kept in touch with Xmas cards over the years.
I like to think of Joan as I remember her and that was so many years ago now.
(posted by Valerie Fuller)

Joan & I were neighbours for 13 yrs. We lived in the same building on the same floor. Although I didn't know her well, she was always pleasant to chat with and always had a cheerful outlook on life. I admired her courage to carry on through all her struggles.

I was at the Celebration of Joan's life. It was a wonderful gathering and I enjoyed meeting so many of Joan's friends. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard putting it on.

Joan was a powerful voice at the Stata Meetings and was always concerned about the well being of our building. We will miiss her very much.

How we met Joan:-
Well I really met John Freeman who frequently said 'well we'll all eat strawberries and cream' at the end of a telephone conversation. John and I met through the accounting association when we were marking the same course and I would phone him for consultations to be consistent in the marking process. That was probably in the late 1970s, I'm thinking. After a while I would talk to Joan on these conversations before talking to John. By this time Lauren also got to know both John and Joan. I remember when they got a home computer which must have been around 1986-88 or so and we went over to see about helping to set some things up (not that we knew much more than they did, but it was fun). After John died, the relationship with Joan continued - in phone calls and as lunch buddies - sometimes me, but mainly Lauren. Joan always suggested I come too, but I appreciated having a break. But I am sooooo very glad I went to lunch with Joan and Lauren for what turned out to be the last time we saw her.

I think I first met Joan at one of the many parties/BBQ's June used to host, then we both started working at the City of Vancouver--yes, yes for a very long time! We always had lively conversations but at last Thanksgiving's get together, I remember we all started talking about what thanks we had & then it blossomed into talking about church & Latin & soon we started singing the Kyrie & then it moved onto old songs &... old camp songs. It was amazing how many of the same songs we knew! A very good time was had by all!

I met Joan through Val Laxton's Annual Academy Awards party. Through the years I met Joan at Henry Hudson school where we voted. Most recently we met at the Cancer Agency when we both were having radiation for our cancers. The last time I saw Joan she happily gave me tips on how to find out information about my treatment. I came through my radiation Jan. 2013 and didn't have to have chemotherapy. Joan used to send me jokes and quips on the irony of life. She faced her treatment bravely and will remain in our memories as a person of strength and determination despite the odds.

I worked at the Family Practice Teaching Unit UBC, with Dr. H. C. Slade at VGH. These were truly my happiest working years. Through that connection I met my long time friend, Joan who was secretary to Dr. G.R.F. Elliot. Joan was always very helpful to me in so many ways. We often met for lunch and offered support to each other. I moved on to teaching and got my Masters in Education. Even though our get-togethers were fewer and farther between we never lost touch with each other - Joan was a true friend to the end.

I met Joan in 1990, at a very difficult time in both our lives, and she was a most wonderful friend. Her laughter and sense of humor will always be with me. What a privilege it was to have known her. My sincere condolences to her friends and family.

I'll remember Joan for her upbeat personality, generosity, and for always knowing exactly what she wanted (and didn't want!). I always thought very highly of Joan.

Joan was a close friend of my mom's, so I was fortunate enough to have spent some time with her over the years. I was always impressed with how she had an opinion or an entertaining story on any subject, and was able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

She truly was one of a kind.

I worked alongside Joan in the Engineering Department and loved her sense of humour and her forthrightness.

How blessed I am to have known Joan as a friend. We met when I moved into the same building in 2001. From our first encounter in the hall, me with my big dog Tobii, who instantly adored Joan (Tobii was smarter than I thought)and Joan adoring Tobii, I knew Joan was a special person.
I moved to Saskatoon a few years later and Joan always kept in touch via emails and cards. We got together over dinner at WhiteSpot a few times a year and Joan updated me on all the business of the building and city politics.
A charming, brilliant, courageous lady - Joan is so missed.

She was my treasure, the window to know the world, She is with God now and close to me. I love her for ever! Astrid Lopez, El Salvador, C.A.

sorry to lose such a wonderful lady and one who faced adversity so bravely. Miss you lots Joan.

I am writing a little about Joan's early life which people may not know about. Joan & I met at Sacred Heart School when we were in grade 1 or 2. I think we connected so quickly because her dad and my parents were older and poorer than most of the other students. We both loved to watch and partake in sports. We went to Brocton Oval to attend the Track Meet yearly while in Sacred Heart School and some of the High School Track Meets when we were in Van Tech. We also joined Baseball and Grass Hockey teams. She was good in athletics. Joan entered a Spelling Bee and was one of the last ones to go down.

Joan had a good voice and loved to sing. We joined the Sacred Heart Church and Van Tech choirs. We joined the C.Y.O. softball team and we were so proud of being the youngest girls on the team.

She liked Reunions because she loved to see old friends. We attended most of the High School Reunions and also many of the lunches with some of our high school grads. Joan was so intelligent and her memory of people, names and events was amazing. She loved animals, especially Murphy. Thank goodness a home was found for him. I'm sure Joan is looking down with the angels and smiling.

We would like to pass on our condolences to all of Joan's friends and family. We are Joan's family in the UK through her first marriage to my uncle Peter Gormley. I was always hugely impressed with how she stayed in touch even she remarried, and my mother Veronica Gormley was always delighted to receive letters and news from Joan. We have been touched by Joan's generosity to our children, and just wish we had been able to visit her in Canada. As Joan was so positive we didn't realise the full extent of her illness, or the limited time she had left and I think this is the way she wanted it. Love and hugs from Antonia and Mullaly, and Cathy Asasciow xx

I first met Joan through line dancing. Such a smoothy she was and always asking me about her camera (digital age just arrived). We had many laughs and I shall always cherish her with the great memories she left us all!

Who would have thought that when approached by ‘two waifs' on a ferry from Spain to the Algarve, Portugal, that a dear friendship of 23 years would evolve. Yes, John and Joan, obviously hearing us speaking English, approached us asking if we knew of a reasonably priced hotel close-by. We drove them to the charming town of Tavira and arranged to meet them the following day when we would take them for a trip to the western end of the Algarve. Over the next few days a firm bond was knit and it was time for them to move on to another part of Europe. We were sad to learn of John's demise but still kept in touch with Joan. In 1992 we returned to the UK and Joan made a trip to England and a week's stay with us here in Devon. The one thing that impressed Joan was the beautiful, fluffy, white clouds as we drove over Dartmoor and we still think of her when we see them. Joan always kept in touch with us despite several lapses from our quarter due to illness. This is what we found most endearing about Joan; once you were her friend, you remained her friend. Bless you Joan for the love you have left with us.

I met Joan when she worked at "the City" with my brother Brian. Instant connection; not just for me but for my father as well. We all fell under her spell and never left "the Hall" without a smile and a new memory; often some snippet of her amazing life. At the very least, an outrageous joke. I'll always remember her zest, positive spirit and straight up-front attitude. After her retirement from the City Joan and I continued our friendship, as who could let her go. It was a privilege to be her friend and I'll remember her always with a smile.

With love,
Glenna Spong

I first met Joan in 1982 when I took a job in a small law firm in the TD Tower. Joan had recently left the Government and taken a job as private secretary to one of the up and coming arbitrators in the City who shared the offices of the law firm I worked for. Suffice to say that it was not a happy place, and the aim of all the staff was to find another job as quickly as possible and move on. Joan very quickly became my support and confident and after I left we kept in touch by meeting up for supper and a movie. During this time I also had the privilege of meeting John, who was an absolute gem of a man. John had a very quiet way about him, and he dealt with Joan's humour very easily.

When The Stanley re-opened as a theatre, we decided to take seasons tickets for the first year and enjoyed it so much that it became an annual occurrence, right up to May of this year. Joan had even investigated the programme for next year but, alas, this was not to be.
I shall miss Joan a lot - her shoot from the shoulder attitude to life was very refreshing, and her bravery in facing up to the health battles she had during her last few years were indicative of her strength of character. Sleep well, dear friend, your struggles are over.

I've known Joan since our days at Sacred Heart School. In the 1980's I also worked for the City of Vancouver and we often walked to the bus stop together. Over the years I have enjoyed many lunches with Joan, Lorraine, and Rose. I'll always think fondly of Joan.

Elena
Vancouver

(transmitted by June Gurney)

My thanks to all of Joan's many friends who have supported our dear friend and all those who have shared their stories and adventures of Joan with us. You have inspired me to comment on Joan's impact on me and my family, and our work together at City Hall Engineering Dept. I was privileged to have Joan as my executive assistant (and confidant) for over 10 yrs in the Solid Waste Division. All of us know Joan's interest and care for people and her upbeat, glass half full approach to life. Although Joan has faced much adversity, she never complained about it; she never let adversity define her, but she chose to focus on the welfare of others. Besides her ability to cheer us up or make us feel appreciated and share hilarious stories and outrageous Jokes, Joan was a consummate professional at City Hall and justifiably proud of her work, her office operation, and our organization. Joan, of course, was very proud of her Canadian Navy service and this was reflected in some of her office routines, her concern for accuracy and correctness. My earliest discussions with Joan about code of conduct for all of Joan's supervisors were as follows: no coffee, no lunchy, no huggy, no kissy, otherwise we can work together.
Joan often shared with me stories from her adventures (probably not the most exciting ones)including Hawaii trips, line dancing expeditions into the hinterland of Delta, Academy Award night parties, her love of FUDGE, and the annual sharing of Entertainment coupons.
I learned a lot about life from Joan's advice and experiences. We all know about Joan's extensive network of friends and families, but it was a revelation to me to learn about the extensive informal network that probably exists in all organizations , particularly City Hall, that Joan was naturally connected to. Joan shared information with me relevant to our operations (probably not all the juicy stuff), but it served as a warning to me that there are no real secrets.
Joan seemed like a natural extension to our family since she was such a friendly outgoing person , engaging my wife Donna , my father, and sister and fellow executive assistant (from Crown Z) Glenna; she and Joan instantly connected and remained in close contact via email. We especially enjoyed having Joan sit with us at our head/family table at my retirement party in 2009.
Writing these comments on our decade of working and having fun together with Joan brings fond memories and a smile to my face; I miss Joan but I will always treasure my memories of our conversations and adventures at work with this wonderful friend.
Brian Davies

I've been a good friend of Joan since December 1988 when I started work at the City of Vancouver. She's been a delight to know all these years, even after I had to quit work due to severe arthritis.
My husband, Terry, retired in 2008 and we moved to Penticton. I've called her every few months since then and loved getting her home-made cards with pictures of Murphy in all his glory.
Joan made me, and I'm sure all her friends, feel special. She was a unique person who I loved dearly. I feel honoured to have been among her friends and shall miss her very much.

I worked with Joan, at the City of Vancouver, from 1995 to 2000 ... we related to each other immediately, she was a rock for me at various points in my life, and we used to laugh about the fact we are both Scorpios ... some of the stories she used to tell me about her own life used to bring tears to my eyes with laughter, and she could power walk with the best of them ... she and I used to do the beach and Langara golf course, then go to the little cafe on south Granville for coffee afterward. Good memories ... and of course, it just wouldn't be a day without talking about the City, the politics and at least one of the Councillors...

It gives me a sense of comfort to think she is with John now ... she was one of a kind for sure!

I met and knew Joan through meeting her at a line dance class. What a wonderful lady. So full of life and would let nothing or anyone stand in her way. I had lost touch with her years back when I stopped dancing but never forgot the laughs we shared and the dances we learned together.

In fact Joan taught me a joke song about my name that I still sing to people this day.

We will miss you Joan.

Joan was literally thrust upon me! I was working for John Laxton when one of his partners told me that his wife (another lawyer) had hired Joan as a legal secretary . The only problem was that she had no training. He said that he had offered my services: I could meet her for lunch a couple of times and tell her how to run a personal injury file. I think my reply was, "Oh, sure, I can easily pass on over a couple of lunches what it has taken me 5 years to learn!" In any event, I felt sorry for Joan and I met her for lunch with a handful of precedents. Little did I know that that fortuitous meeting was the beginning of a long friendship. We hit it off right away. We had a lot in common and discovered that we had gone to the same high school and even overlapped by one year. We had great fun over the years going out for currry, going to movies, and exchanging ribald jokes and fuzzy animal pictures.
One of the crazy incidences (and there were many) that Joan and I laughed about on a continual basis was the time we were in an East Indian restaurant for curry. Joan's eyesight was very poor and she was leaning over the table trying to see the menu with her magnifying glass. I suddenly realize that the candle in the middle of the table had set her menu ablaze! Very calmly, I said, "excuse me, Joan, but your memu is on fire". We stomped it out and then hid it amongst the others so that the restaurant people wouldn't find it until we left. We ate quickly and left in peals of laughter.
Joan was certainly one of a kind and I will miss her, but I will never stop laughing at some of the things we got up to.

I will miss Joan dearly, she was a great co-worker, and the greatest of friends, honest, kind and very funny. I missed not seeing her this past year due to my husband Keith illness. I will miss her most at Christmas and making her chocolates. To all her many friends and family my condolences, but remember she was definitely THE GREATEST ONE OF A KIND FRIEND. Thanks for letting me know of her passing.

My dear dear friend:- I met and worked with Joan at the Public Service Adjudication Board back in 1977 and we have maintained a dear friendship, first with her and John (Merry Christmas!) all these years. I will so miss you, our chats, our take on world events and our mutual love of animals. I loved bringing the puppers in to visit, I'll never forget the day Cherry took Joan for a walk, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry but I can tell you I was standing in the middle of the street with my knees crossed and doubled over in laughter, praying I didn't leak..makes me giggle now and of course taking dear dear Murphy to the vets. How she loved him!! Joan was always my trusted confidant and I always asked her opinion. She could be brutally frank but she was always honest and sometimes it was tough to take but she always turned out to be right. I am going to miss her so much!! Now she is with her father and John and to the three of them I say "Happy Hanukah!!" Much love from the puppers, birds and of course Nelly. Until we meet again my dear dear friend.

Joan was a friend of my Mother's since the late 80's. My wife and I were planning a trip to Hawaii in the early 90's, and invited her to join us along with Joan. We had a wonderful week hanging around Waikiki, and did a day trip to Maui. I still remember the day I decided to take everyone for a tour of Oahu. I rented a convertible, and can still remember the two of them riding about in the back like royalty. Such a fun trip and happy memories. Mom and Joan would return to Hawaii a few more times on their own. Joan would always remember to bring me back coconut syrup for my pancakes, and in return I would always bring her vanilla from my trips to Mexico which was always in demand for her fudge making.

Joan was a dear friend of our family, especially to my wife, Sandy. The two of them knew each other for over 20 years, meeting originally at a line dance competition. I always appreciated Joan's forthright 'tell-it-like-it-is' attitdue and her wit and humour. Trivia: Joan was also our band's, Rainshadow, #1 fan.
We will all greatly miss Joan's friendship, love and humour.

Joan, Rose and I have known each other since Grade I and our friendship continued until her passing. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Her sense of humour, her fun spirit, sometimes sassy, her views on politics. How Rose and I enjoyed our lunches with her. Rest in Peace Joan. We will miss you.
Lorraine Milani

Thanks for getting in touch with me and keeping me updated on events leading to Joan's passing. I saw Joan a few times when they visited my dad. Eventually Uncle Leo moved to Vancouver and I lost touch with him. I understand that life was very tough for Joan growing up in East Vancouver but she was a fighter. I reconnected with Joan at the funeral of Uncle Leo. Joan visited with my sister, Rita who lives in Coquitlam. She also talked with Debbie, my daughter on the phone many times. I asked her to visit us at any time and I guessed she didn't because she was legally blind and I was totally unaware of it. Had I known that I would have offered to pick her up. Joan always kept in touch at Christmas with her usual card and note. Joan will surely be missed.

I met Joan in 1969 when I accepted a clerical position in the office of Dr. G.R.F. Elliot. Joan was his secretary and I was her assistant. Thinking back I have to chuckle how Joan bossed Dr. Elliot around. It seemed like every other week she would get me to help her move his furniture around. He always took every Thursday off to go golfing in lieu of a vacation – rain or shine. Dr. E. never knew where he was going to be sitting on a Friday!



Joan would often stay late to have everything just right such as cataloguing all the books in the library – no small feat. I always thought that it was hilarious how she managed Dr. E. to get what she needed for the office. It drove Joan nuts that there was one thing our Dr. E. would not budge on and that was his old, raggedy carpet that he had taken with him when he left the Royal Canadian Air Force.



Our friendship developed over the years. Joan was always there for me and my boys and I always tried to be there for her.



We had a standing Christmas dinner with Fran Gendron, Cathy Dixon, Nancy Kato, and Jan Wiggins at Martini’s restaurant. She will also be missed at our family Christmas dinners.



I’ve enjoyed many a birthday meal with her over the years for hers and other friends. Fran, Joan, and I had a standard get-together at the Cheshire Cheese Restaurant. Joan got to know many of my friends and good neighbours – Kohl Lavallee, Marjorie Mah, Suzie Lee, Pearl Kirby, and Louise Marphis. Before you knew it they were her friends too!



I always knew that Joan had a lot of friends but am just realizing now that she would be a good candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records!



I have Joan to thank for a good work ethic; she was my mentor and loving friend. She was unique unto herself and it was my privilege to have been part of her life.

I met Joan for the first time in 1990 at Frank Baker's, the restaurant that my husband and I owned. Joan was arranging a celebration of life for John. We clicked right away and our friendship developed from there. We both had something in common as our husbands died within a year of each other. We have been good friends ever since, having lunches and good talks. I got a lot of strength from Joan and I miss her dearly.

Dorothy Baker
Vancouver
(transmitted by June Gurney)

Joan and I have been friends for 23 years and I will miss her bubbly, happy outgoing personality. She will be missed by all and leaves a big hole in the hearts of many. She always said that we had a lot in common, me being German and her having a Ukrainian background. She was fun to be with; we travelled to Hawaii on several occasions and I could tell endless stories about the good times we had.

When I had cancer surgery in 2007 and my grandson was diagnosed with Autism she stood by my side and gave me great support. We both loved cats and I am so happy that Murphy found a nice home. I accompanied her to the Cancer Clinic on several occasions and she was always very positive to the very end of her journey that she could beat the disease. It broke my heart to see her during my last visits to the hospital, may she rest in peace now, and she will live in our hearts forever.

Joan was such a lovely person and so full of spirit and fun. I found her very knowledgeable on so many levels. I enjoyed all our times together – lawn parties, rummage sales, birthday dinners, movies, and lunches. It was a real pleasure to have known her.

I met Joan, in the early 90's through my mom, and she quickly became a good family friend.

She has always been kind and I think, a young person at heart. She was sarcastic in a good way with her humour and could easily keep up with us youngings, as she called me.

For the past few years, Joan had been my date to New Year's Eve. Whether at Myles of Beans or at the Marine Pub.

We would split the special, and dance the night way past midnight. One of the best New Year's Eve, saw us gals out way past midnight. Singing, dancing and just have fun! This was our tradition, among many other wonderful memories.

May she be in peace, and watch over all of her friends and family. Love.

I will miss my dear friends Joan, also the many e-mails, hand made cards , letters, funny comments, specially about the government. We met in 1959 when we were both stationed at H.M.C.S. Naden, Esquimalt, BC as Wrens, though we lived on the opposite ends of Canada we were in touch weekly. Rest in peace and keep watching over us all.
Barb Publicover, Halifax, NS

I will miss our dear friend Joan. I loved her sense of humor and intelligence and it has always made me so happy that she loved and married my coach, John Freeman. Her final gift to me was the remarkably heart warming experience of talking with so many of her friends and family as they shared their love and support during her final days. Patty Loverock (Fort Myers, FL)

I have known Joan since she first arrived at the Provincial Health Building, 828 West 10th Ave., Vancouver in 1962 to be Dr. Elliot's secretary. Joan has left me with many happy memories of good times together and for these I am forever grateful. Our yearly birthday lunches are well documented in all the great photos from each year (and these go back a long, long time) and Joan was so wonderful in including the previous year's photos on the birthday card she would make for you on your next birthday. She was such a smart, talented and well-informed woman who I was glad to call my friend. I was very fortunate to have a great visit with Joan on the Thursday before her passing - we spent over an hour together and covered many topics (including her missing a White Spot burger!). I will miss her but am thankful she is now free of pain.

Sincerely,

Fran Gendron
Steveston, B. C.

Thank you June for letting us know about Joan. I'm sad she's no longer with us.

I am sorry & sad for you and for all of Joan's dear friends and for myself to say so long to Joan. What a charming, funny, loyal friend she was; we all have been blessed to call her a
friend. Thank you so much June for all your never failing updates. I am so glad that Murphy has found a good home. I was hoping to see Joan again; my great loss that it is now too late. Paul & I were in Prince George visiting my sister Gwen and brother-in-law, Dick who is now fighting cancer; how I hate that dreaded disease. We can grieve for Joan and take solace that she is now at peace.

My goodness June, I have never seen so many emails in my life. Joan must have more friends than anyone I have ever met & been the very best at keeping in touch and reaching out to friends throughout the years from so many places. I have been reminded & found out new things I didn't know about Joan. The track & field was a revelation; I was also in track at Eric Hamber and went to meets at Van Tech & many of the Vancouver high schools & never knew I had that in common with Joan. So glad that Murphy is in good loving hands, such a relief for Joan I am sure. Thanks for being the keeper of the emails and sharing them with everyone. June you must be exhausted with all that you do everyone appreciates all the news. Take care and I hope our much diminished group can meet for lunch/dinner and honor Joan's memory by remembering all the things we loved about Joan. all the best, luv cathy xo

Thank you for sending all the messages about Joan. I haven't been in touch before now as I have been out of town since May 1. I wish I could have gone to see her once last time. Joan was my sister's best friend a long time ago, and after she passed away I got in touch with her again and it was so nice to relive those times and talk about my sister. I saw Joan earlier this year and she seemed great and was her usual self and said she was changing Dr.s and was very upbeat about that. I am So sorry I wasn't here to see her and even though I haven't seen her much over the years I will miss her. Thank you for all the emails you sent.

I was very sad to receive your message that Joan has passed away.

With Deepest Condolences,

I want you to know how much the family appreciates the support you have shown to Joan in her last days. There are not words to express our gratitude. I know that there have been many, many others who also have contributed and if you would forward this note to them as well it would be appreciated.

Hugh Freeman

I was at the hospital for a few hours on Monday evening and I could see the decline of my good friend and mentor Joan. While I was not able to speak to her just sitting with Patty while Erin visited her grandmother, I felt happy to be able to be there.

I worked with Joan from 1988 to the day she retired and she remained my confident, supporter and all around good friend til the end. Those years at city hall were bearable because of Joan and her sassy attitude. I will miss her dearly.

So grateful to see all her supporters in these email strings – she obviously had enormous support, June, Val and others in the day to day stuff.

Leanne Toderian

When I was 18 my parents made me a gift , a trip to Greece from Romania, which at the time was under communist regime ( if anyone has any idea what that means...). On my way back from Greece to Bucharest I was in the train where I met this couple, who were also coming to Bucharest for a short visit ; we became friends on the train and when we reached our destination I introduce them to my parents. From then on we had their company for the rest of their stay in Bucharest. We also invited them at our place and had such a good time ... Now I'm 52 and I remember those days, which were the only days I spent with both of them, since I haven't met again any of them since ... we 've just kept in touch all these years through mail or emails ... such a wonderful couple!

I'd also like to say that Joan was a person I admire for her courage and optimism ..... I'll always cherish her memory and miss her dearly... JULIA KOKKINOU, Greece

We are so sad to hear of Joan passing. Nov and I would like to thank you very much for all the updates on Joan. Nov and Joan lived together shortly after Joan got out of the Navy. I met Joan in Jan 1960 as my friend needed someone with a car as he had a blind date with Joan. So you can guess who I married. Just had our 50th. Anyway, take care and glad to see Murphy got a good home.

Don and Nov Woolford

Was so sad and sorry to hear she had passed, but we all know she is now at rest and free of pain. I know she will be watching over all of us and laughing at some of the crazy things we are doing. I will certainly miss all the e-mails and those beautiful home made cards she has been sending for the last few years. They will be a keep sake for years to come.

We haven't seen each other for years but have been friends since we were both stationed at HMCS Naden in Esquimalt in 1959. Joan has another Wren friend named Diane Skippen who also lined danced with her. Joan did come East a number of years ago and we had a great time roaming the streets of Halifax and chatting, laughing, visiting Peggy's Cove at sunset and eating wonderful food.

June and all of Joan's many friends and family members; I know this is not an easy time for any of you. My thoughts are with you all.

Take care and God bless you all.
Much love for a dear friend,
Kind regards,

Hello: Our prayers are with her. We loved having her sit ahead of us at the Football games. She was indeed a very special person. Ralph and Deanna Bergman, Delta

Thanks for all of the updates on Joan and we're very sorry for your loss. We got to know Joan at the BC Lions' games..........we sat behind her for a few years and visited with her last spring when she attended the exhibition game at BC Place.

Sincerely,

Allen & Jean Bird

Joan & I met over the phone at work when she was Brian Davies' secretary at the City of Vancouver. We discovered that we only lived 2 blocks away from each other and so our friendship of many years began. We line danced together, went for walks, to concerts, the Festival of Lights, Canada Day celebrations, and of course, lots of restaurants - Joe's being our favourite for brunch and Andales for Mexican. I loved our conversations. I loved her direct approach to life. I loved Joan and all she was about. I will certainly miss our get-to-togethers.

Fortunately, I will have Joan's beloved Murphy in my life. I spoke with my mother-in-law, Anne this morning and though Murphy only moved in last night (May 23rd), he has already started to make himself at home. She said he watched tv with her and they 'talked'. He also slept on the bed with her last night. Anne and Murphy are a great match. They will keep each other company for many years to come. Rest assured, he will be spoiled rotten and much loved. I think Joan is smiling down on him and comforted that he is in good hands.

I felt so sad to know about the Joan's death last May 22th at 23:30 hours. Thank you to inform me! Can you do me a favour? Can you send me a paper remembrance about her? When Mr. John Freeman died I was receiving a paper remembrance. These last days I sent a letter to her before Joan died, can you read her for me, my English is not good but Joan understood it. Thanks again for your attention, I am a catholic woman and I am making a novena of the church to her ( nine masses) I knew her in 1983; she was sending me quickly an English dictionary to learn and help me when I write or speak by phone with her. She was my tourist guide when she was traveling, etc......etc.
If you send me something, please write me here: Astrid Lopez. Final 11 C.P. Bis. No. 27, Residencial Santa Lucia, Santa Ana, Depto. Santa Ana, El Salvador, C.A. I will be waiting your answer. God bless you! and I do not disturb you again. Thanks! Astrid Lopez. El Salvador, C.A.

I am envisioning Joan's Angels preparing for her arrival on the other side with celebrations for the wonderful life completed and preparations for re-orientation to a new environment. I know Joan's loved ones, John, Peter, her father and mother along with many friends who have pre-deceased her will be waiting joyously for her arrival. It is our turn to honour the process of transition, difficult as that may be. Joan's fragile body has done everything for her that could be done so we can only wish her God speed to far better conditions even though her departure will leave us all nursing gaping losses. One day our time too will come to cross over and what tales we will have to tell then!

Amerval Du Planty

Why do we feel such a void in our lives at this moment? We haven't seen Joan in such a long time but she always made sure we were in close contact with her thoughts on world affairs and of course her humour. It is good to know we are not the only ones who thought so much of her. How is it that someone like Joan can always be so positive even when things looked so bleak? What a person; what a smile; what a positive person when she obviously felt pretty lousy with her illness. What a privilege to know such a person. The ultimate loss is ours and ours alone. The world could do with more like our Joan. Our love to you and all who supported her in her last days.
Basil and Shirley from Honiton in Devon, England. xx

My name is Sally (Rosalinda) and I would like to thank you so much for all your e-mails and keeping us updated about Joan's illness and her passing. I visited Joan the day before and was able to see her for the last time as well as my friend, Patty.

I have known Joan through Line Dancing with Shirley King and she also expressed my thoughts and feelings about our Joan. Thank you for everything….

On behalf of a small group of friends who got to know Joan over the past few years I wish to add my thanks for your many updates during Joan's recent difficulties.

We got to know Joan through line, dancing, community centre activities, lunches, plays, concerts and on and on. She was always interesting and interested and left an indelible mark on us all. Like her many, many friends we will miss her and hope we will have her strength and positive attitude as our legacy.
From: Joan Honeyman, Ruth Powers, Margaret Lambert, Margaret Lepp, Elizabeth Boyd, Vi Kilpatrick, Pat Tolhurst, Shirley King

I went to school with Joan at Sacred Heart and we were both in the choir. Other friends of Joan's who attended Sacred Heart were Anna Taylor, Lorraine Milani, Elena Passaglia, and Shirley Smith. Anna and Joan enjoyed participating in High School track. Joan, Anna, and Lorraine graduated together from Vancouver Technical School in 1955. I did not attend Technical High School with them; I went to a Private school instead, however, we did see each other occasionally at that time. I often said to them that I wished I had gone to high school with them, would have been more fun, however, I guess we made up for it later on.

Hilarious the way Joan and Lorraine use to count the whistles from the cars; both Joan and Lorraine were very pretty! As we all know, Joan was a very wonderful person and I am so grateful to have been in her life.

Joan took part in high school track with Anna. Shirley Smith was a friend of ours, mostly with Anna. Joan and I would go to a place where the new Italian immigrants would go and dance to a jukebox. We would walk all the way from our homes, across the old Georgia Viaduct downtown to a movie and count the whistles from the cars that went by. One night even close to 80. She joined the navy when I got engaged at 19yrs old. She was already living downtown at that time.

I have known Joan for 50 years, since she worked in Hon. Wesley Black's office, and I turned up as a very young 18 year old to work in the office next door. I remember how annoyed she was when she took me to the Navy base pub when I was underage. I wasn't asked for ID, but in her mid-20's, they asked her. Then there was the time the 2 of us holidayed around BC. for a week. What a lot of good times and fun then! Even though I married and came to Australia 41 years ago, we have kept in touch with letters, and then emails, plus her visits to us here, and Lionel and I meeting up with her in Vancouver a couple of times. I will really miss hearing from you with her updates on BC and Canadian politics, news clippings, and of course hearing about Murphy. Nice to know he is going to a good home.

It is very heartwarming to know how much she was loved by everyone, and gosh, didn't she have a lot of friends! Her emails were always mentioning off to movies with friends, lunch with somebody else, etc. etc. I will certainly miss her, even though we were so many miles apart. I was so wishing I could visit her in hospital these past few weeks -- but then decided maybe it was better for me to remember her feisty spirit as we last saw her about 8 years ago, wandering around Vancouver - and her warnings never to go to certain areas after dark as much too dangerous!
Ruth Borton, Victoria, Australia

From: Patty Loverock, Florida and Maureen de St. Croix, Surrey: -
I met John Freeman in 1969 when my family moved to Vancouver from Courtenay B.C. and I joined Vancouver Olympic Club. In one year, with John's coaching I moved from being one of the pack in B.C. to the best sprinter in Canada, along with Stephanie Berto -- also coached by John. (Patty Loverock)

I met Joan in 1976 and through the years I continued our friendship, visiting her every time I came through Vancouver from the states. I believe she wants her ashes spread at Brockton Oval because John's ashes are also there. (Maureen de St. Croix)


I joined the Vancouver Olympic club in 1969 as well and under John's guidance became one of Canada's top middle distance runners. John was an incredible mentor to both Patty and me - not only with our track careers but in our personal lives. My attitudes about life and my involvement in community sport were certainly significantly influenced by John.
At the Montreal Olympics in1976, John introduced us to Joan and it has been a wonderful relationship ever since. Joan's quirky sense of humour and 'shooting from the hip' attitude always left me laughing. She was feisty, true in her beliefs and loved John deeply. I agree with Patty that she would like nothing better than to have her ashes scattered with John's at Brockton Oval.
Maureen de St. Croix, Surrey

Joan's humour and outspokenness is what drew me to her. Throughout the years we have kept in touch and I always looked forward to our annual dinners. I am so sorry to hear of her passing but feel blessed to have known her.

Thank you so much for keeping us all in the loop during this troubling time. Grandma Joan will be dearly missed. She was always so full of life. Lots of fond memories.

I have been Joan's lawyer for many years and am sorry to hear of her death but thankful that she died peacefully. Whenever we did a will (which we did on many occasions!) I was always impressed by her concern for her friends and Murphy. She was a one of a kind lady and I'm sure she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

When Robert and I saw Joan in the hospital she was reminding me that we met in 1990 at the John Oliver school. My mom had signed me up as a birthday gift from her. I had never heard of this line dance thing but my mom thought it would be fun. This was a night school event so as my mom and I were trying to find the class I made some joke about let's look for someone wearing cowboy boots and follow them. There was a voice behind me that said oh good your lost too I'm glad I not the only one. Of course this was Joan she said I'll follow you and we can get lost together. We eventually found the class we were suppose to be in some dance room but they switched us to the cafeteria This is were Joan and I learned the classics like electric slide, boot scoot boogie, achy breakie heart, some of Joan's favorites.
We began great friends from that movement on. The class was for eight weeks every Monday night. Our instructor, Chuck took our class on a field trip as he called it. We went to JR Country dance club which is now The Shark club in downtown Vancouver. We would go there for line dancing events which then gave us connections for The Wild Pony club were we would dance and take lessons with Al Serfas.

One of Joan's highlights was when we were asked by Chuck, our night school instructor to go to this dance at the Lynnwood in North Vancouver. Joan and I were his top students and he asked us to demo a couple of dances there. This is where Joan and I met Lynda Taylor.

Joan and I would show Lynda the dances that we had learned. Joan picked them up pretty fast Next thing we know we had formed a little dance team. We would practice in my basement or in Lyndas garage. We were called, ‘Lynda Taylor and the Outlaws'. Our first show was at metrotown in the centre court I had arranged for the team to dance there; ironically we were dancing for Cure for Cancer. We were the only dance team there Lots of other acts etc. Our team raised $5000.00 dollars. My husband's company put in a donation plus the crowd put money in the boxes. We even had the Great Rootbear from A&W dance with us. So much fun!

The Metropolis mall staff choose our dance team as Best Entertainers. They then as we were told, matched our money raised so we raised a total of $10,000.00 for this event.

Another of Joan's favorite events is when we danced at the P.N.E. She was so excited to dance there. The one that Joan just talked about less than two weeks ago was when we danced in North Vancouver for Lynnwood Days Joan recalled how we gave them a show alright. What happened was that our dance team all bought these beautiful lace blouses in white and then we all had black pants or shirts etc. What's funny is here we are performing our dance routines and the show is almost over and all of the sudden these huge black clouds come out of know where and it just pours. Of course, we keep on dancing and there was no tent over us so we all were soaking wet. No kidding, the audience loved us as our lace shirts became very see through. Joan and I still laugh every time we remember this because the crowd was cheering, hoop and hollering, whistling, and clapping away like crazy and to think it was for our dancing. As Joan would say Best Show. (Wet shirt). That is ever. Omg After all these years that still made her laugh. The dance team did many shows. Joan and I were on CBC Country Beat dance show. We also got to be in the movie called the amazing Love stories. At one point we were dancing five nights a week. We would be off to the Wild Pony then next night dance rehearsal then lesson the next then a dance performance - lots of fun and we all had day jobs. I believe Joan's last dance performance was with Irene; they did a dance video on U- tube. Think she filmed it in 2012. So many amazing years of great dancing!

Thanks for letting me know of Joan's passing, unexpected, somehow. I always felt she would somehow overcome it, just because she had such a great attitude and such strength, but am glad it was a peaceful passing. I will miss her, even though we didn't get a chance to see much of each other. She did, however, come to celebrate my birthday along with June, Marjorie, and Pearl and that is a special memory that I will hold on to.

So great to hear from so many of Joan's friends from all over the world -- she was loved -- no doubt about that -- How I met Joan -- Joan lived in the same building as I -- I am permanently disabled so Joan and I stuck together as the "handicapped folks of the building" making sure we were treated fairly -- we were really known as the " leaders of the Opposition" in many of the issues in our condo building - we would compare notes after each owner's meetings and go into hysterics over the various opinions we disagreed with and what was said that we found humourous -- we always agreed a drink would be in order after the meetings . We will certainly miss her cheery attitude and good humour in any situation.