Joan Blanche (Gidney) Connell, formerly of Digby and Smith’s Cove, died March 16, 2014 in Ladysmith, B.C. She leaves her three daughters, Valerie, Heather, and Krista. Her beloved husband, Edward ‘Chub’ Connell, predeceased her in 2005. Joan, born in 1933, was the youngest of six children born to Wilford and Gussie Gidney of Mink Cove. Her brothers Sam, Clifton, Donny, and Wilford (Junior) and her sister Joyce all predeceased her. Joan and Chub lived for most of their lives in Digby, where they raised their family. They were deeply involved members in the community life. Many stories circulate in the family of card playing evenings, fun weekends at the cottage, and entries in the Scallop Days Parade. She worked for many years in the pharmacy. After their children grew up, moved away, and married, Joan and Chub moved to Smith’s Cove and lived there until Chub sadly died in 2005. In early 2007 Joan moved to Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, to be close to Heather and her husband David who had moved there a few months earlier. In Ladysmith she was a well-loved member of a small community of seniors in the apartment complex where she lived; and she became the life and soul of the bridge evenings. She continued to be a keen gardener and also greatly enjoyed not shoveling snow. Joan continued in good health until 2013 when she developed the same cancer that ended her own mothers’ life. She approached her end with great bravery and a calm spirit, and died in the company of Heather and David. Cremation has taken place. Her ashes, together with Chub’s, are to be interred in Digby later this year, and a memorial gathering will take place in Digby at that time. Once a date has been decided for this event notice will be placed in the Digby Courier, and friends will be informed personally.