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January 23, 1939 - September 19, 2019
With loving family by her side, Frances Joan Dyson (nee Raikes) passed away on September 19, 2019. Born January 23, 1939 in Port Alberni, B.C. to Arthur Cecil and Edith Caroline Raikes.
Joan is survived by her three daughters; Lesley (Kirk Domino); Cynthia (Harold Schellekens) and Susan (Mark Misiorek); three grandsons; Randall and Jarod Domino, and Wil Misiorek; two granddaughters; Pauline and Sally Schellekens and her two sisters, Beverly Woods and Mary Raikes-Tindle. Predeceased by her adoring husband Robert (Bob) Julian Dyson.
Joan was a proud Port Alberni girl. She loved her time at Sproat Lake in the summers and her years as a student at Alberni District High School. To this day, she counts the Class of 1956 as some of her dearest friends and continued to attend their high school reunions up until last year.
Joan attended the University of British Columbia and received a teaching degree in Home Economics.
She met Bob at Sproat Lake, and they soon began to build their family of girls, moving around B.C. to Dawson Creek, Victoria, Williams Lake, and finally settling in Nanaimo for the last 42 years.
In the 80s, she returned to school taking the office administration program at Malaspina College. Her teaching career was not over however, as the college hired Joan as a full-time instructor. She made a lasting impression on her students.
Upon retirement, she and Bob enjoyed RV'ing around North America and more recently, travelling around the world with friends and family.
Joan loved people. There wasn't a person she didn't love to connect with. She had many social circles - from high school, to bridge clubs, to UBC and Malaspina, to her Bob-o-link, Mulligan and Berwick neighbours.
Most importantly, Joan loved and cherished her family. Some of the happiest memories were of times spent around the dining room table for big family dinners and playing board games with her grandchildren.
She brought out the best in everyone and we are all just a little better for having Joan in our lives.
The family would like to especially thank Dr. Stephen Beerman for caring for Joan for over 30 years. Many thanks also to Dr. Ken Gin and the staff at Berwick on the Lake.
A service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 2 pm at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Nanaimo. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation or St. Paul's Anglican Church.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 5, 2019
2:00 PM
St. Paul's Anglican Church, 100 Chapel St, Nanaimo


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