Marjorie 'Joan' Norton

It is with great sadness that the family of Joan announces her passing on February 10, 2014. Joan was born in Eel River Crossing, New Brunswick, on August 1, 1938 to parents, William and Lillian Frees. Joans mother, Lillian, moved to Daysland, Alberta with her three young children (Joan, Rosiline and Kerry) to be closer to her family when their father, then in the navy, was missing at sea. He returned home and the family later moved to Victoria, British Columbia. Joan went to Oakland Elementary School and graduated from Victoria High School, where she played clarinet in the band. Immediately after high school, she started working. In 1956 Joan met the love of her life, Phillip. They met while 10-pin bowling, an activity they continued to enjoy together for many years. They married in September 1958 and over the next five years, had three daughters Debra, Lori and Susan. When the girls were in school, Joan went back to work, first for The Goldstream Gazette and then for the provincial government at the Medical Services Plan and Motor Vehicle Licensing Branch, where she remained until retirement. Joan had many friends, made through the various activities that she and Phil enjoyed together square dancing, bowling, fishing, travelling, as well as friendships that have lasted from her school days. She enjoyed swimming very much. Joan loved to knit, crochet, quilt and petit point and has done beautiful work. She enjoyed watching dancing, figure skating and hockey. Joan and Phil enjoyed fishing in the Sooke waters for many years. Whatever she set her mind to doing, she did it with confidence and perfection. She was a very hard worker. Joan had many pets over the years. She loved all animals and could not imagine living without them in her life. Joan loved her trips to Skagit with her husband and friends. These were their mini getaways. Joan and Phil traveled to wonderful places over the years - UK, Ireland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and the Cook Islands. They took countless road trips to the USA and across Canada in their truck and camper which they enjoyed very much. They drove to the East Coast of Canada to visit relatives as well as to Alberta and Saskatchewan where they met many of her relatives for the first time. Recently, they enjoyed a cruise to the Panama Canal. Joan was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was an intelligent person. She was a strong person. She had a great sense of humour. She was kind, nurturing, compassionate, creative and supportive. She was one of the most organized people one could ever meet. She was very generous and always had others interests ahead of her own, almost to a fault. She would do anything for you. Joan enjoyed others accomplishments and successes. She was very interested in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Most of all, Joan was an extraordinarily beautiful person, inside and out. The last couple of years had been very difficult ones for Joan, with regard to her health. Recently she was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Through all of this time, she rarely complained and still cared so much for others. Joan will be greatly missed by us all. Our lives have been touched forever by her presence. At her request, there will be no service. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Joan to the Canadian Liver Foundation.