OBITUARY
Eileen Joan Mitchell
Eileen Joan Mitchell, nee Gibbons, Younghusband (Nana, Mum), died peacefully in Victoria General Hospital November 7th, 2018 at the age of 93.
Joan was admitted the day before, after a fall in her beloved home at Jeskin Aerie Assisted Living. Left with a fractured pelvis the doctor felt would heal in time, her death was unexpected and likely from cardiac arrest. Surrounded by family just hours before she passed on, Joan shared many stories from days gone by in her typical cheerful manner.
Joan often expressed gratitude for living a long and happy life with few regrets. In those last few hours she focused on family and reminded us to “never forget to cross your t’s and dot your i’s.” She had no unfinished business.
Born October 14th, 1925 in Duncan BC, Joan grew up mostly in Victoria. One night in 1947, at the Roller Bowl in Victoria, she met a young sailor from Royal Roads. Three months later, at age 22, she married Stanley Mitchell and soon afterwards Joan and her sailor moved to Halifax NS, to begin raising a family. Joan was the quintessential Navy Wife: ready, steady, resourceful, loving and strong willed. She had to be: raising 3 boys and a girl, much of the time alone while Stanley was at sea.
The family lived in Halifax, Ottawa, Victoria and Burlington. In retirement Stan and Joan lived at their Otty Lake cottage, Mission Texas, Saudi Arabia and Victoria. The two of them were warmly social and made many friends everywhere they went.
Joan/Mum/Nana was predeceased by Stanley in 2005 and youngest son Bryan in 2011. She is survived by children: Rodney (Heidi), Bruce, Robyn (Gary), grandchildren: Victoria (Steven), Heather (David), Kathleen (Shayne), William (Allyce), great Grandchildren James and Chloe, sisters-in-law Evelyn and Audrey and nieces: Leslie, Joy, Debbie, Tracey, Nancy, Erica and Ingrid.
The family offers heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Jesken Aerie for the warm friendship and nurturing care that enriched Joan’s last years. Also to the staff at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital for the compassion and professionalism they have shown to our Mum and Nana both of late and over the years.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held in Victoria at a later date and next summer at Otty Lake. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Jesken Aerie of M’akola Housing Society in Victoria BC, or The Great War Memorial of Perth District Hospital Foundation in Perth, Ontario.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Eileen Joan Mitchell 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: victoria, Province: Colombie britanique
