Obituary announcement for Joan Blair wife of
Jack Blair LM 125 at Nanaimo BC

Joan passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on May 12,2013 (Mothers Day) at the age of 88. She is predeceased by her son, Jack; daughter, Ingrid Sandra; and her three younger brothers Charles, Victor and Ron. She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Jack Blair, her daughter, Joanne Burroughs (Keith), son James Blair (Jane), son-in-law, John Watson (Valerie) and daughter-in-law Cheryl Blair (Gord Schmidt). She will also be sadly missed by Grandchildren Patrick Watson (Deborah); Heather Watson; Krista Mitchell (Graeme); Brandi Murray (Ian) and Great-Grandchildren Jackson Blair Mitchell and Marion Murray. Joan Maud Haggith was born in Dalston, England and was the only daughter of Albert and Maud Haggith (nee Ross). She served proudly in the Women's Land Army and met Jack (a Canadian soldier) in England during WW 11. She and Jack married on May 6, 1944. Joan came to Canada in late 1944, crossing the Atlantic on a dangerous voyage in a ship with many other war brides. After a long crosscountry train ride, she arrived in Vancouver to a blaze of lights she hadn't seen in England for the preceding five years. Joan was warmly welcomed into Jack's family. Jack spent his career in the Canadian Army and Joan and their growing family moved 28 different times during his career, finally retiring in Nanaimo in 1975. Joan was always very busy and she had many interests. She was a member of the local War Brides Association, started a "Take a Break" program for young mothers, volunteered with Fairview school and worked in the library. This latter experience led to her working many years as a Library Assistant with the Vancouver Island Regional Library. She was a member of the Nanaimo Garden Club and was one of the founding members of the Nanaimo Genealogy Club, now the Nanaimo Family History Society. Joan loved music (especially the Big Band era) and dancing, enjoying her life fully. She had a great sense of humour. She and Jack lived at Nanaimo Seniors Village for the past several years and the family would like to thank the residents and staff (and Mid-Island Health workers) for all the wonderful companionship and help they provided. Joan was very grateful for the care she was given. The family would also like to thank Daphne Barley (Joan's bridesmaid), Kathy Roberts and Joan Clarke who have remained steadfast friends for all these years. There will be no service, no flowers, no celebration of life by request. Please remember her as the fun loving, gentle, kind person she was. If you wish, a donation can be made to the Parkinson Society Canada National Research Program.
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Obituary announcement for Signallers Club member
Deceased at Burnaby, BC 01 May 2013
WOODWARD, Bert Henry
March 22, 1923 – May 1, 2013
We have lost and mourn another of our WWII Veterans. Bert died peacefully at George Derby Centre, Burnaby, with his devoted wife by his side. Born in Scarborough, Ontario to British immigrant parents, Bert Woodward Sr. & Phoebe Haywood. Bert is survived by his loving wife Mary of 63 years; children: Keith (Susan), Gloria (Allan), Paula; granddaughters: Alana & Tamara Ellard & Carleigh & Tasha Woodward, their mother, Geri Woodward, sister, Elaine Waid (Jim), brother-in-law, Norman Johnston. Bert proudly served his country in WWII, joining the Merchant Navy at age 19. On October 22, 1942, Bert was on Merchant Troop Ship "Winnipeg II" when ship was torpedoed & sunk in the North Atlantic. After surviving this tragedy he joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, 13th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division Signals, serving in Canada, England & Holland. Discharged from Army, he began his accounting career at Canada Packers Ltd, Vancouver, where he met his wife, Mary in 1950. They were married in Mary's home town, Edmonton in 1951; an office romance that continued for 63 years. They built their home in Burnaby where they raised their family and lived there the past 52 years. Bert was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion #83, Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Ass'n, Signallers Club of Canada, Pacific Signallers & Deer Lake United Church. Bert & Mary were long-time members of Pitt Meadows Golf Club. They enjoyed their winter golfing holidays in Palm Desert, where Bert was proud to have shot a hole-in-one. They also enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, especially on cruises. Bert will be fondly remembered for his warm smile, quick wit & sense of humor, a true gentleman, caring husband & generous, loving father & grandfather, especially enjoying numerous family gatherings of our extended family. Funeral Service will be held at Columbia- Bowell Funeral Chapel on May 9, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow. Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following reception. Flowers gratefully declined, friends so wishing may make a memorial donation to Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Bursary Fund – so that children with dyslexia & learning disabilities, regardless of financial need, may receive an education in a setting where they can learn & prosper. Please make cheques payable to: Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Bursary Fund & send to: 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, B.C. V7H-1S8.
From the Vancouver Sun