Obituary of Joan Sheila Eaton

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Joan, dearly loved by her family.

Joan Eaton (nee Heaslip) was born in Port Alberni, BC and grew up in the logging camp of Great Central Lake. She was the only daughter of John Wesley and Ellen Beulah (nee Knight) Heaslip. Joan was predeceased by her parents; her husband Jim; son Brian; and only brother Dick Heaslip. She is survived by her children Sheila (Ken) Hunter, Patricia (Peter) Eaton, Carole (Ralph) Eaton, Malcolm (Carol) Eaton, Bruce (Darlene) Eaton and Stuart (Kathy) Eaton. Joan will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Demian (Ken) Richardson, Tristan (Jonathan) Schindlbeck, Janel (Steve) Morrison, Katie (Sheldon) Nedjelski, Michael Eaton, Miles (Jaimie) Hunter, Joey (April) Eaton, Sasha (Vance) Ash, Patrick (Hannah) Eaton, and Bryden Eaton. Also missing their great-grandmother are Kendal and Gavin Morrison, Zoey and Oliver Hunter, Nahanni and Talli Richardson, Erin Schindlbeck, Ben and Finley Nedjelski, Dannie and Griffin Eaton, and Merrick and Nola Ash. Nana will be remembered by the Sanche family Shea (Trish) and Rene, and their children Adam, Jordyn, Jesse and twins Hailey and Charley. Mum will also be missed by her nieces, nephew and their children, and cousin Lois Needham.

Mother spent an idyllic childhood immersed in the beauty of the West Coast. She met her husband Jim (Jimmy), a farm boy from Saskatchewan, when he was in the RCAF, stationed at Ucluelet during WWII.  As they told the story Mum was meeting someone named Jimmy at a cafe on a blind date. Our father took one look at her, sent the other Jimmy packing, and passed himself off as her date. A few years after they married Jim and Joan moved to Saskatchewan eventually settling in Carlyle where they raised seven children and formed many lifelong friendships. Mum was a proud Air Cadet mother to her four sons. She loved spending time at the family cottage on White Bear Lake. Mum remained an island girl at heart and never lost her homesickness for BC. We all grew up with tales of a magical place that sounded like something out of a storybook.

Mum was known for her beauty and style, her great love of shoes and flowers, especially pink roses, and cats of every size and description. She will also be remembered for her pies, Nanaimo bars, butter tarts and Christmas pudding, and happily shared recipes and techniques. Living in a small town Mum’s lifeline to the world was CBC Radio. She listened to Peter Gzowski every day and loved Danny Finkleman’s Forty Fives. When she moved into a Care Home at 96 years of age she started catching up on her reading and managed to plow through The Handmaid’s Tale. She maintained a lively curiosity about the world, was a big Roughrider fan, and insisted on voting in the last federal election. She spent her days reading, eating Rogers chocolates, watching the birds, checking CBC for “breaking news” and waiting for the mail which was bound to contain cards and letters from her large family. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and instinctively knew what little whimsical gift would bring joy. Mum taught her grandchildren the importance of great shoes, fancy skin cream, cashmere sweaters and how to ride a city bus. She celebrated their achievements and loved them all equally. A visit to Nana’s house meant tea with sugar cubes in a special china cup, playing with her collection of stuffed animals, being careful of her African violets, munching cookies and listening to cat stories – apparently nasty cats are the best cats. And when Nana hugged you - you knew you were loved!

We would like to thank Isabelle Newton who was Mum’s dear friend and confidant. We are so grateful and thankful to Michelle Albeck and the wonderful staff at Sunset Place Care Home who made Mum’s transition into assisted living as seamless as possible and who provided such loving care. We especially want to thank Susan with whom Mum shared a special bond. Susan occupied a mighty space in Mum’s heart. We also thank Mum’s fellow residents at Sunset for their welcoming friendship.

Our Mother has been cremated and her ashes will be scattered at her favorite places on the West Coast. The family plans a private memorial when the time permits.