BURDOCK, Joan Ewing (Colbourne)– Passed away peacefully on January 17, 2009 after a brief illness, surrounded by her family, in Dartmouth General Hospital, aged 87 years. Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on November 26, 1921, she was the daughter of Thomas and Irene (Ewing) Colbourne. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband George, sister Ruby and brother-in-law Ted Davis, and sister-in-law Blanche Colbourne. She is survived by her three children: Bill, Janis (MacGillivray) and Ron (Margaret Douma); two grandchildren: Christiaan MacGillivray and Heidi (Glenn) Hubley; their father, Keith MacGillivray; great-grandchildren: Jordaan MacGillivray and Kiannah and Kamryn Hubley; brothers: Alexander “Sandy” and John Colbourne, and John’s wife Jean Colbourne; and by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her family and the Church were the two centres of Joan’s life and to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren she was everything. A niece observed that she was the glue that held her extended family together, with phone calls, cards, letters and e-mail. She took delight in the accomplishments of every member of her family and wanted to hear of their every adventure. Curious and full of life, Joan loved to travel, a passion she was able to pursue in her later years with trips to Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, New England, and around Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, always in the company of her family. She was active for many years at St Thomas’ Church and with the Girl Guides at Bishop Spencer College in St. John’s, her alma mater, and then with the Altar Guild and ACW at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Dartmouth. There are few things at Holy Spirit, and fewer people, that she did not touch in some way. Her sense of humour, beautiful smile and ready laugh charmed everyone she met.
Joan’s family would like to extend sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of the Dartmouth General Hospital, and especially to Dr Stavros Savvopolous and all the wonderful nurses on 3 East, for the care, comfort, and support they provided to all of us during Mom’s last month of life. Although the stroke she suffered in December deprived her of her voice, it could not take her personality. Her twinkling eyes and her smile were irrepressible. These are what we will cherish in our hearts always.
A memorial service in celebration of Joan\'s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1 Regency Drive, Dartmouth, N.S., B2Y 1Z7 A reception will follow at the church. Her ashes will be placed alongside George’s in the columbarium at the Cathedral Church of All Saints. Family flowers only by request. Gifts in Memoriam may be made to the Church of the Holy Spirit Roof Fund. To place messages of condolence, you may visit http://www.mem.com/