JOAN SARA GORMAN (MURRAY)

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JOAN SARA GORMAN (nee MURRAY) April 8, 1921 - April 10, 2014 Our mother left us peacefully, in her own home, where she wished to be, on Thursday, April 10, 2014. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday with a tea party just two days before. Joan lived a long and fascinating life. Born in Gibraltar, she spent her childhood years in England. At the age of 11 she moved with her family to China where her father was stationed as a Royal Naval doctor. She enjoyed her years there and had many wonderful stories from that time to entertain her family and friends in later years. During the Second World War she joined the WRNS, serving as a cipher officer for several years carrying on the family naval tradition. She was especially proud of meeting Sir Winston Churchill during that time. Joan married Ben Gorman in 1943. In 1952 they immigrated to Canada with their young daughters, living in various parts of the country including Ontario, Newfoundland, and Alberta before settling in Winnipeg in 1959. After Ben's death in 1968, Joan began a career with the Winnipeg School Division where she made many friends and enjoyed an active social life. Retiring in 1989, she followed two of her daughters out to British Columbia. A wonderful move away from the prairie winters! Settling in White Rock, near her daughter Eileen, she relished the beautiful British Columbia climate, where she could put her many gardening skills to work. She loved her garden and spent many enjoyable hours there. Always one to make connections easily, Joan was soon surrounded by a group of wonderful friends that she met through volunteering at UNICEF, a Shakespeare study group, or just chatting at the local shops. She enjoyed many years of good health, happiness and a fun-filled social life. Joan was an avid reader until her eyesight declined recently. She loved her home which she shared for many years with her beloved cat Koco. She was ready to leave us and would like to be remembered sitting in her beautiful garden with Koco by her side. The joy in Joan's life started to wane with the loss of her youngest daughter, Frances, in 2012. The family would like to thank Dr. Tyrell and the Peace Arch Hospital staff for their care during her many visits this past year. You were all wonderful to her during her stays! Joan's wish was to stay in her own home and with help from some special caregivers, she was able to do that. The family would like to thank Comfort Keepers and the angels that they sent to help care for our mother. Hannah, Tracy, Glenda and Joy, our special thanks for the love and comfort you gave her. She enjoyed your company more than you will ever know! We will always be grateful for your loving, caring ways. Joan was predeceased by her husband Ben in 1968, her brother Gerald in 1999, and daughter Frances in 2012. She is survived by her three daughters, Angela, Sara (Eain) and Eileen (Lee), her seven grandchildren: Robert, Karen, Vicki, Vanessa, Ben, Simon and Angela, and her three great-grandchildren Jason, Matthew and Rachel. Her family was her joy! She loved them and was so proud of them all! There will be no funeral service at Joan's request. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. If you wish to be notified as to the date, you may contact her daughter Eileen at eileen_jasper@hotmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Peace Arch Hospital or the SPCA in Joan's name. Condolences may be offered at www.victoryfuneralcentre.ca Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre 604-536-6522

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 19, 2014