Joan Lovelace (nee Halkyard)

Joan is survived and lovingly remembered by her children:  Juanita (John) Duncan & their children - Jody (John Rutherford) - Jerri (Nigel) Fisher & their children, Jillian, Madison, & Kayla -  Jason (Sharon); Lawrence Lovelace;  Gerald (Dione) Lovelace & their daughter Thera (Mike Humble);  Rosalee Lovelace (Alf Bitzer) & her children - Tammy Williamson (Bill Olds) & their son Tyler -  Angela (Jim) Hrihorow & their family, Ashley (Dale Richardson) their daughter Riley, Greg, Brad, & Amber - Trevor (Megan) & their children Courtney & Jordan;  Kevin (Lisa) Lovelace & their children - Trent (Crystal Flaman) - Jenna (Jordan) Birchard & their daughters Zoey & Aubrey - Jaylynn (Mike Romanchuk).  She is also remembered by sister-in-law, Sally, and numerous nieces and nephews, in particular Pat and Archie Lovelace and Irene Carlson.  

Joan was predeceased by her husband Floyd Lovelace, son Neil Lovelace, grandson Tyler Lovelace, great-granddaughter Karlee Williamson, mother Lucy Hyde and final life partner Richard (Dick) Beatty.

Joan was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England and arrived in Canada in 1928 at one year old.  She started walking on the ship, Minnedosa, on the way over.  Joan was raised and educated in the Goschen (south Carnduff) district where her mother worked for Bert & Neil Hyde.  Joan attended High School in Carnduff & Normal School in Moose Jaw.   She obtained her first teaching job at Lookout School near Willowbrook, SK, where she met her husband Floyd. They moved to Victoria, B.C and were married in May, 1946.  Juanita was born in Victoria in 1947.  In the spring of 1948 they moved back to take up farming.  That fall they moved to the former McNaught farm in the Souris Flat district.  Joan often told a story about that first winter in the old house, how it was a lesson in survival, you would be roasting on one side and freezing on the other.  She always referred to the heater as a “contraption”. Larry was born in 1949. Another son, Gerald was born in 1950, then Rosalee was born in 1954, Neil arrived in 1957, and Kevin in 1963.  In 1971 their son Neil was accidently killed in a tractor rollover.  In 1974 they sold the farm and moved into Glen Ewen.  In 1980 Joan and Floyd moved to Regina where they resided until Floyd’s passing in 1986.  After Floyd’s passing, Joan moved to Pilot Butte where she helped with grandchildren and was involved in the community.  In 1998, Joan and Dick built a new house in Pilot Butte. It was one of Joan’s bucket list items, she said, after standing by that “contraption” with two young children that winter.  Joan and Dick loved to travel - they went to Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Hawaii, Alaska and Texas. They spent 12 winters in the Rio Grande River Valley in Texas. She absolutely loved it there - they danced several times a week, enjoyed their many friends and she learned to oil paint and do many other crafts.  After Dick’s passing in 2004, Joan continued to travel.  She would just get in her red van and take off to wherever.  When she was 79 she traveled to Texas by herself - she had a big stuffed bear dressed in a T-shirt on the passenger’s side complete with a hat and a cigar, so villians would think she had a travelling companion.

Joan loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately nicknamed her GG.  Joan will always be remembered for quick wit, her infectious laugh and her caring personality.  Joan was a beautiful seamstress, enjoyed crocheting, doing needle point, oil painting and many, many other crafts.  Over the years she created many beautiful items.  We must not forget how she loved to do her daily crossword with her niece, Pat.   Joan loved to have company and she would always make sure you had something to eat, even in the later stages of dementia, she always asked if you wanted to stay for supper. 

Joan remained in Pilot Butte until moving to Surrey B.C. in 2009.  In 2010 she was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and because of her daughter Juanita, was able to spend her remaining time at Czorny Alzheimer Centre in Surrey, BC, a beautiful facility with very caring staff.  Joan passed away very peacefully and comfortably.    

Memorial service and interment in Glen Ewen cemetery at a later date in 2016.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, 300-828 W. 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E2.

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