Obituary of Joan Isabelle LARSEN

On the evening of Saturday June 5th, 2021, Joan Isabelle Larsen (née McGillivray) slipped quietly into the great beyond at an impressive age of 90. Joan was born on May 10th, 1931 in Central Butte Saskatchewan. Joan’s life in Central Butte was simple in the beautiful vast prairie which she so loved. Learning the piano and ultimately leaving for the big city of Edmonton, to train and become a nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. She married the love of her life John Reffstrup Larsen April 18th, 1953, enjoying a wonderful life together, starting their family in Edmonton, continuing to Calgary, and then returning to Edmonton, AB. She resumed her piano, touching the lives of her many students. She furthered her accomplishments achieving a Royal Conservatory ARCT designation. Joan enjoyed volunteering for the Kiwanis Music Festival for many years. Both her and John travelled after retirement, settling in Sidney BC in a home they built together. Joan, being a quintessential prairie girl, would say “you can’t see the view for the trees”. Always caring, tender and sweet, Joan worried and cared how others felt and always left them feeling better after a visit. Joan especially appreciated the council and spiritual support of Minister Irwin Cunningham and the fellowship of the church where she delighted in playing accompaniment for the junior choir. Joan will be cremated, with a formal service held later in August 2021 at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. She was visited, either in person or virtually, throughout the days by family, friends, and her church. We shared stories, played the clarinet, slept over, read poems, reminisced common memories of times passed, and ultimately holding her hand as she passed on. Joan is survived by four children Karen Riep (Bruce), Donna Macdonald (Mike), Chris Larsen (Jayne) and the youngest son Jeff Larsen (Carson), as well as five grandchildren Christian Larsen (Holly), Kimberly Hassink (Aaron), Michael Macdonald, Tyler Larsen, and Gavin Macdonald as well as niece Cathy Yaskow (Larry). Joan was pre-deceased by parents Archibald and Isabelle, the middle sister of older sister Lila (Walter Smith) and younger sister Doris (Ken Parham) and cousin, Greg (Leanne), Joan’s passing closed a chapter of a generation. The family would like to thank the compassionate staff of the Rockyview General Hospital on Unit 71 for the care they gave Joan during a brief battle with pneumonia. Joan will be laid to rest with her loving husband John.