February 21, 1930 – August 24, 2024

It is with great love and admiration that we bid farewell to Joan Margaret Petersen (nee Ryan) after suffering from a stroke. She was surrounded by family.

She is predeceased by her parents, Gerald Patrick Ryan and Annie Margaret Dynan and her four brothers Kevin, Bill, Peter and Frank Ryan. She loved her brothers dearly and had always kept in fond contact with her many nieces and nephews and extended family members in Australia.

She is survived by her six children Christian, Paul (Donna), Michael, Kath- arine (David), Karen (Stephen) and Terrence (Marley) and her sixteen grandchildren Ryan, Anne-Marie, David, Ian, Samantha, Sean, Graeme, Matthew, Mark, Laura, Jenelle, Shay, Simon, Lennon, Turner, Henley, and great granddaughter, Ivy.

Joan was born on February 21, 1930 in Rose Bay, New South Wales. She studied nursing and midwifery at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney before deciding to travel and work overseas alongside her friend, Pat Jones. In February, 1956 she landed by ship (the SS Orsova) in Vancouver and they chose to go to Oliver ‘a few miles down the road’ to work. In Oliver, she met Danish immigrant and school teacher Henry Petersen. She wrote a ‘dear John’ letter to her Australian fiancee and Joan and Hank were mar- ried that December in the chapel at St Martin’s hospital. Joan and Hank bought a house on Osoyoos Lake and welcomed six children over the next seven years. Eventually Joan and family moved to Oliver for reasons of employment and a high school for six children.

Mom lived a vibrant and full life and focused her energy on many pur- suits. She loved all members of her family deeply and unconditionally. For many years, she would host a Christmas Eve Happy Hour with her cher- ished grandchildren. She enjoyed many adventures with Dad around the world. She was a meticulous needleworker learning knitting, crocheting, and especially quilting and shared these crafts with many of us. She loved nature, walking, music, birds, flowers and entertaining. She was a proud member of the local Quilter’s group, the Sagebrush Singers, and the CWL. She surrounded herself with bright, powerful, strong women and at 94, called many her true friend. She had a keen mind, a curiosity about the world, and a healthy sense of humour. She savoured an occasional tipple of gin or hot rum with friends and family.

Mom is now at peace with the Lord and reunited with her Beloved Hank. She lives on in so many ways in all her family members and she will be remembered fondly and often with both a tear and a chuckle.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name will be greatly appreciated such ‘Kiwanis Senior Housing Society’ (Box 1980, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0) or to a charity of your choice.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am, Friday August 30, 2024 at Christ the King Catholic Church with a reception to follow in the church lower hall.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com