July 5, 1937 - May 17, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness but much gratitude for a life well-lived that the family of Joan Isabelle Boland share her passing at Valley Hospice on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Joan was born on July 5,1937 in Tenecape, Hants County to parents Harold and Georgina (Fiske) Stephens in the same house as her six older siblings. The family moved to Curry's Corner when she was a child and Joan attended school in Windsor and Nova Scotia Normal College in Truro. Joan then made her home in Wolfville where she enjoyed many years on Kent Avenue and later Chambers Close.
After twenty-five years of teaching at Windsor Primary School, Joan retired to enjoy her home, gardening, crafting, and travel with various family members.
Over the years, she played many roles: daughter, "kid sister", wife, aunt, friend, mother figure, teacher, volunteer, and neighbour, talented gardener, and crafter. Joan belonged to the Port Williams Health Auxiliary, volunteered at Evergreen Nursing Home, and supported numerous charities including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Wolfville Food Bank.
As her older brothers and sisters married and started families, "Aunt Joan" became an integral part of their lives. She was in constant contact with her many family members and took a keen interest in their lives, never forgetting birthdays or holidays. Over the years her nieces and nephews were the recipients of many thoughtful gifts, often carefully handmade. Joan relished time spent with family and was the chief engineer of many special-occasion events. Aunt Joan was a confidant for family members, aways willing to listen. She helped in difficult times, celebrated milestones in their lives and encouraged them to fulfill their potential.
She gladly added people to her family over the years and particularly enjoyed her connections with the younger generations. Joan had a dry wit; she loved to tease and joke and it might be said that she could be a bit stubborn (a family trait), frank, and to the point.
Joan was predeceased by her parents; husbands, David Pulsifer and Murray Boland; siblings, Margaret Redden, Keith Stephens, Elma Swinamer, Claire Barker, Phyllis Stephens, and Ronald Stephens; niece, Sandra Greeno and nephew, Michael Stephens.
She is survived by David (Yuki) Boland, Digby and their children Shian and Miyu and Dr. Greg (Shannon) Boland, Elora, Ontario as well as nieces and nephews and others she considered family.
In the last few months of her life, Joan met her health challenges with dignity and grace. She wanted to thank those who sent cards, flowers and messages and visited her; it was much appreciated. She and the family are also grateful to Dr. Don Clarke and the staff at Valley Hospice for their compassionate and tender end-of-life care.
As per Joan's request, there will be no visitation; a graveside service will be held in Willowbank Cemetery, Wolfville on May 25 at 2 pm with a reception to follow in the Garden Room at the KC Irving Center. For those of you who wish to donate in memory of Joan, please do so to a favourite charity. Arrangements have been entrusted to White Family Funeral Home, Kentville.
Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com
Service Details
2:00 PM