Clara Joan Wicks

It is with sadness we announce that Clara Joan Wicks passed away on October 14, 2023, in Port Coquitlam. Joan was predeceased by her husband John in February 2022. She is survived by her daughter Cathy, son-in-law Greg and granddaughter Caitlyn. Joan is also survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy, brother-in-law Carl, many nieces and nephews in Ontario.

Joan was born in Toronto, Ontario on July 27, 1935, and was the only child of Winnifred & Arthur Charlton. Joan attended and graduated from St Mildred’s Lightburn School for girls in Toronto where she had assumed a number of student leadership roles. Joan enjoyed many happy summers at the family cottage on Lake Couchiching north of Toronto where she developed a love for canoeing, swimming and other water activities. Joan also worked as a Summer Camp councillor in Muskoka at the camp associated with the school, St Mildred’s Lightburn and taught canoeing, archery, and birding. After high school graduation, Joan attended Teacher’s College in Toronto. After completing her degree, she taught primary education.

Joan met John at the Church of the Good Shepherd, where they were married in 1958. Joan was active in a number of roles within the church and was a committed member of the Altar Guild at St Matthews Anglican Church in Toronto. After the family moved to Port Coquitlam in 1996 Joan and John were active members St Catherine Anglican Church, Port Coquitlam and later at St Laurence Anglican Church, Coquitlam. In both churches Joan continued to offer dedicated service to the altar guild and other aspects of church life. In addition, Joan also volunteered in the community, driving for “Meals on Wheels”. Joan’s hobbies included reading, birding, floral arranging, curling and photography. John and Joan moved to BC and purchased a power boat. Like most avid boaters they purchased a boat a couple a feet larger than their boat in Ontario. Joan enjoyed completing the Power squadron course. Joan and John were members of the Pitt River boat club. After selling their boat, then they purchased an RV and travelled in the USA and Alberta. They also enjoyed cruising to the Caribbean and Alaska.

Joan led a full and vibrant life and will be remembered by all who knew her for wide range of interests, her dedication to her family, her friends and her committed service to the church. She will be sadly missed.

Please send donations in memory of Joan to the following charities: Heart & Stroke Foundation or St Laurence Anglican Church. A memorial service will held for Joan at St Laurence Anglican Church, 825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam, Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at 1:30pm.