Joan V. Jones, 78, of Parrsboro passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan.
Born in Parrsboro, she was a daughter of the late David and Marie (Wheaton) Reid. Joan will be remembered as someone who never got old. She lived a full life while working hard, maintaining lifelong friendships near and far, and by never slowing down. She was an inspiration to her friends and family because of her energy, business sense, and the values she held close. The business that she still ran with her daughter, Jill, reflected her keen eye for current trends and evolved from a small flower shop to a thriving boutique. In recent years, her passion for design and fashion had many happy and returning customers wearing their highly-complimented "Sweet Brier" dresses from Joan. Joan was an avid believer in the town in which she grew up in, Parrsboro.
She was actively involved as a former town councillor, member of the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade, was Main Street coordinator and board member for the Ships' Company Theatre. She fought many a battles to maintain a thriving downtown core; some were won and many were lost, but she never gave up and her store front has been open for 35 years with many generations all finding something to love and share from her shop.
She will be greatly missed by those who inspired her the most, her family - her daughter, Janice and her children, Ashley (of Tokyo, Japan), Cody, and Katie; and her daughters, Jill (Robert); Lori (Glen); her sister, Wendy (Sam); her brother, David (Nancy); her friend, Colin; her uncle, William Wheaton; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Lottie Wheaton with whom she was very close. A service of celebration will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday [March 30, 2013] at Trinity United Church, Parrsboro, Keith Selwyn-Smith, DLM officiating. Reception will follow. Memorial donations in Joan's memory can be made to an organization which was very close to her heart, The Ottawa House Museum at Partridge Island. Online condolences at: www.smithsfunerahome.com