Lybarger
Joan Helen
Born in Kelowna in 1934, the youngest girl of 11 kids, passed away June 16th, 2014 in Penticton, B.C. She was predeceased by her brother Johnny and sisters Caroline & Claudie. Survived by her loving husband Dan and her four children Cheryl (Dave), Russell (Deb), Lea (Mark) & Craig, her granddaughters Lia, Amber (Ryan), Aurora (Conrad) and great grandchildren: Kailyn & Myah. Her surviving siblings are Maria, Tony, Bea, Frank, Kit, Bob & Reg. Joan was an exceptional woman with a big heart and a diverse set of skills and talents. She worked for 17 years at the Western Advertiser, also writing her own column - Joan’s Home Cooking, where she shared many delicious recipes. A competent seamstress, an avid gardener and a creative crafter, no challenge was too difficult for her. She took on jigsaw & crossword puzzles and life with a quietly competitive edge, throwing a mean bolo game and often catching the biggest or the most fish. One of her great talents was singing. As the lead singer of the Sunshine Band, Joan’s beautiful harmonies and yodels entertained at Blue grass festivals & senior centres. Her voice will forever ring out in YouTube videos and self produced CD’s. Joan could recite poetry and childhood stories from memory and as a wordsmith herself, she wrote many glorious poems, often personalizing them for her friends and family. A devout woman, she cherished the fellowship in the Catholic community, volunteering where she could. She was at her happiest with her family around her, singing, eating and laughing. She lived a clean, simple life. Joan honoured nature’s magic and found beauty in rocks, sunsets and rainbows, often pointing out a tree, a flower or the clouds in the sky. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on June 28, at 11 am.