December 15, 1931-May 31, 2009
NELSON, B.C./AMHERST ­ Joan Rae
Laughton (nee Chapman) passed away peacefully
with her family at her side on May 31,
2009, after brief but courageous battle with
Alzheimer's disease at Mountain Lake Seniors
Community Complex.
Joan was born on
December 15, 1931, to
Arthur and Marjorie
(nee Minor) Chapman
in Amherst, Nova Scotia,
the third of five children.
During her high
school years Joan was
an avid and skilled basketball
player, being
chosen captain of her
team for two years. Upon completing high
school, Joan joined the RCAF in 1954 as a Meteorologist,
where she obtained the rank of Corporal.
After several years spent in service, she
resigned her commission and travelled west,
eventually residing in Nelson. While working at
Roy Olsen's jewelry store on Baker Street, she
met a young optometrist, who was to become
the love of her life. Ivan and Joan were married
October 4, 1958, in St. Saviours Pro Cathedral in
Nelson. Ivan practised optometry in Nelson for
over 40 years, assuming his father's practice.
Throughout her life Joan gave tirelessly of her
time and energy to help others. Joan was
deeply religious and a devout member of the
Anglican Church, volunteering many hours to
the ACW and Church Council. Joan sat on the
board of directors of Nelson Jubilee Manor for
many years, where she worked hard to ensure it
was the best possible place for seniors to love
and staff to work.
Joan was diagnosed with breast cancer in
1990. After her recovery, Joan volunteered at
fundraising events, Relay for Life and Ladies
Night Out. She also helped to provide information
and counselling to other cancer patients.
Together with Ivan, they delivered Meals on
Wheels, served at many Rotary barbecues, volunteered
at Nelson, B.C.'s Winter Games and
they were longtime supporters of Nelson Maple
Leafs hockey. Giving of herself to others was
important to Joan, but her happiest times were
spent with family and friends. Many of those
times enjoyed were at the family cabin on
Kootenay Lake. Family meant everything to
Joan and Ivan. it was easy to see the pride and
joy in Joan and Ivan's lives were their daughters,
sons-in-law and their beloved grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her loving husband of 50
years, Ivan, their daughters, Patti (Donald) Poty
of Campbell River, Kelli (Alan) May of Nelson,
and Tobbi (Steve) Laughton-Cutt of Rossland.
Beloved grandchildren: Christopher and
Michelle (Poty) of Burnaby, Kalyn, Erin and
Meghan (May) of Nelson, Taryn and Jorja (Cutt)
of Rossland. Joan is also survived by her elder
sister, Shirley Benjamin, and brother, Bob Chapman,
of Amherst, N.S., along with many nieces
and nephews.
Joan was preceded by her parents Arthur
and Marjorie Chapman of Amherst, her
younger brother, Jack Chapman, and sister,
Geraldine Goguen, also of Amherst.
On behalf of Joan, the family would like to
extend our most sincere thanks and gratitude
to Dr. Paul Walker and staff, the Nelson Homecare
Nurses, the caring and supportive staff of
Nelson Jubilee Manor, Dr. Trevor Janz and the
wonderful and caring staff at Mountain Lake,
especially Alpine Cottage, for all your loving
care and support during Joan's illness. You
made a difficult journey easier to travel.
A celebration of Joan's life will be held at St.
Saviours Pro Cathedral, 723 Ward St., Nelson,
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the venerable
Dirk Pidcock officiating.
As an expression of sympathy, donations
may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada,
809 Davies St., Nelson, B.C. V1L 3T6 or the
Canadian Cancer Society, Box 292 Nelson, B.C.
V1L 5P9.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction
of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.