Obituary of Joan Erickson

May 13, 1937 – Regina, Saskatchewan

April 6, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Joan (Blewett) Erickson passed away peacefully at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, AB, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Joan was born in Regina, SK, on May 13, 1937, and moved to Edmonton, AB, when she was a young child. Her father Jack, a chartered accountant, had enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a pilot. While awaiting deployment, World War II ended and thankfully, the family was reunited.

 

Joan returned to the Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, area to spend the summers with her grandparents and talked of happy times spent at Echo Lake. The family moved to Calgary when she was in high school, and then into the house they built in St. Andrews Heights - a new neighbourhood “on the North Hill”; a term she would coin for that part of the city her whole life. It was endearing. She had many happy years there making many friends in the community, before moving to Douglasdale in 2004.

 

She attended Crescent Heights High School and talked about the “trek” getting to school back in those days. In 1961, she and Donald “Leif” Erickson married and had almost thirty years and three children together. Joan always had a strong sense of caring. This was evident for her entire life, especially when she enrolled in the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing. There she spent three years living in residence with classmates, who would become lifelong friends. The Class of ’59 still kept in touch and have reunions about every five to ten years, and she was planning on attending their 65^th anniversary banquet held this May. Many thanks to Eleanor Byers, her lifelong friend and classmate who was the main organizer of these reunions and who kept classmates posted on life events. Upon graduation, Joan went on to work at the Calgary General Hospital and the Foothills Hospital as a registered nurse on various medical units, becoming an Assistant Head Nurse.

Mom made many sacrifices for the benefit of her children. She gave up her nursing career to become University Heights Elementary School's “Volunteer Extraordinaire” for many years, and driver/chauffeur for her kids’ countless activities. She was always the first to put her hand up to volunteer or help those around her who needed assistance. There was no doubt, Joan’s main love was her family, and they loved her intensely. She always had unconditional love and support for all of them.

 

She spent many years being the primary caregiver for her beloved parents during their illnesses and elderly years. Mom/Grandma was an outstanding role model for her family in this regard. Joan and her family were lucky to have numerous years together, spending time at their rustic cabin at Sylvan Lake, and then later at their cherished property in Flathead Lake, Montana. Joan was such a hard worker, getting the houses ready for the season. One of her favourite things to do was sitting on the deck, looking out onto the lake, drinking her coffee.

 

She loved playing the piano and was trained in the Toronto Royal Conservatory program growing up. Joan loved playing “the oldies” and would often improvise. Her family would love listening to her play on the old family Nordheimer piano. She was an avid gardener and spent countless hours of enjoyment growing amazing flower beds and baskets. Joan loved learning and would look up information in her trusty Encyclopedia Britannica, especially anything of relevance to what her children and grandchildren were involved with. Unfortunately, she never got familiar with how to use the internet, so she would often call family “to look up something”. She loved current events and in her later years, was hooked on watching CNN, until just recently (of all things!). Joan was an avid notetaker and recorder of information. Piles of notes were found when she sold her home in 2019.

 

Upon the sale of her home, she moved to Millrise Seniors Village, where she made many close friends. She also learned how to play crib at 82 years of age and loved having a game with family or fellow residents of her care facilities. In 2022, Joan moved into AgeCare Glenmore, where she lived out the rest of her days. At these facilities, she was known for encouraging fellow residents to come to recreational activities, always looking out and advocating for those around her.

 

Joan always saw the best in people and situations, rarely complaining, and grateful for any assistance - even in the last years of her life when she moved into care facilities, due primarily to mobility issues. She was a person with such grace, dignity, and resilience.

 

Finally, Mom/Grandma will be remembered for her Sunday night family dinners, being “the best” present wrapper, “master crib player”, valuing the importance of giving cards to people, her sense of humor, and her love of coffee! Thanks to all the wonderful, caring, and supportive staff at both Millrise Seniors Village, AgeCare Glenmore (especially nurse Pinky), and most recently, all those working in Unit 71 at Rockyview Hospital.

 

Joan is survived by her three children, Chris Erickson (Saleema) from Phoenix/Vancouver, Karen Erickson-King from Calgary, and Michael Erickson from Calgary.

 

Grandma is also survived by six grandchildren, Afton, Kate, Hayden, Ethan, Christopher, and Kennedy, whom she shared such special and close relationships with. She loved coming to watch their many activities and cherished visiting and vacationing with them.

 

She is also survived by her several nieces and nephews, including Carol and Brad of Burnaby, BC, and Kent Crittenden of Calgary. Kent provided tremendous support and love to Joan, which meant a lot to her.

 

Joan was predeceased by her parents Muriel (Fell) and Jack Webster Blewett of Calgary, as well as her sister Sharon Crittenden of Burnaby, BC, and brother Michael Blewett of Calgary.

 

A gathering to celebrate Joan will be held at a later date.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Joan’s family here.

 

In living memory of Joan Erickson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.