Joan Parker

1928 – 2024

Joan Parker passed away peacefully on December 7th, 2024 at the age of 96 years. Joan was born in 1928 in Carlton, SK to parents Gilbert and Gloire Newman. Joan trained as a nurse and graduated as an RN in 1949. She worked at Victoria Hospital as a nursing instructor and later at the Community Clinic until her retirement in 1990. Joan was proud of establishing the home visiting nursing program.

Joan was fiercely independent and stubborn, at times. She met her match, Stan, at Waskesiu in the summer of 1950, but didn’t make it easy for him. Stan took Joan out for a boat ride and tried to ask for a kiss. Joan jumped into the lake fully clothed and started swimming back to shore. Stan caught up to her and convinced her to get back in the boat and to go on a second date; they were married the following year, spending 64 years together.

Joan loved the lake and spending time at the family cabin at Christopher Lake. She and Stan were avid golfers, and Joan spent summers playing with her golf ladies at Cooke and later Mark’s Nine; and snowbirding with Stan in the winters. Joan always had a pot of tea ready, fresh cookies or bread, and time for a hand of cards. Above all else, Joan was most proud of her family: Stan, her two sons Robert and Doug, daughters-in-law Lori and Marie, and her granddaughters. Joan never missed a hockey game, school recital, piano concert or graduation. Her sons teased her endlessly and she loved every minute. Her love for her family was deeply felt. Our love for her in return is what makes saying goodbye so hard.

Joan was blessed with so many dear friends from her bridge club, Beta Sigma Phi, and golf, to name only a few. You helped Joan remain independent and keep her active social life. Joan treasured all your friendships and she loved you all. Thank you to all of her friends who visited her throughout the years and to those that were able to visit her in her final days. She shared many laughs and tears with you and she greatly appreciated your presence.

Joan is survived by her sons Robert (Lori) and Douglas (Marie), and granddaughters Dalisha (Theo), Chelsea, Sierra, Lauren, Hayley (Lu), and Desiree (Greg, Isabella and Savannah).  She will be missed by her brother Reg (Donna) Newman and many nieces and nephews. She will also be remembered by Dorothy Newman, Darren Saam, Dulcie Saam, and Danita Parker. She was predeceased by her husband, Stan; her parents, Gilbert and Gloire Newman; her brothers Charlie (June), Horace, and Bruce (Helen); her sisters Ada, Cecily, and Glory; sister-in-law Blanche (Joe) Murphy; her mother and father-in-law Mollie and Wilson; and by Dixie Saam.

To Dr. Alanna Surkan and the staff at Rose Garden Hospice, thank you for providing the same care that we know she provided to her patients many years ago: dignified, loving and full of compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Rose Garden Hospice (https://www.rosegardenhospice.ca/) in Joan’s memory.

A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Calvary United Church, 114 25^th Street East, Prince Albert, SK.

Family and friends may leave online condolences at https://grays.ca

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729, Lisa Bos-Atchison, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2024-12-07
• Location : Prince Albert, SK