Mrs. Joan Shirley Ball

BALL, Joan Shirley (Nickerson) of West Vancouver British Columbia died peacefully in her sleep on April 6, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. Joan was born August 18, 1934 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was there that she attended elementary school. Her family then moved to Moncton, New Brunswick, where Joan completed her high school education. She then returned to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in history. While there she was very involved with the Student Christian Movement. Before Joan completed university she worked one summer at the Weyburn Mental Hospital where she met her future husband, Crispin. When she finished university she moved west and worked at the YMCA in Winnipeg and then Regina. While in Regina she took some theology classes at St. Chad’s College and was later married in St. Chad’s Chapel. After her marriage the family lived in Kenaston, Drinkwater and Marengo before returning to Regina. Along the way Joan began teaching Latin to students. After her children were in school Joan began a more active teaching role and she took classes on weekends and in the summers to complete a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Over the years Joan taught Latin, English, French, History, Music and Psychology. She taught elementary and high school, gifted programs, and worked with students with intellectual and behavioral challenges. In Regina, Joan taught at Martin, Scott and Robert Usher Collegiates and Coronation Park and Dieppe elementary schools. She also spent 2 years working at the Board Offices of the Regina Public School Division. She has been a counselor, teacher, vice-principal and principal. Joan excelled at playing piano. Over the years, she taught piano lessons and played the organ or piano for various churches. She always sang in the choirs and was a long-time member of the Regina Philharmonic Chorus. She was a long time supporter of the Regina Symphony Orchestra. Joan was also an avid bridge player, a district commissioner for the Girl Guides, involved with the Business and Professional Women’s Club and Delta Kappa Gamma. Joan’s love of history and different cultures took her on several trips to China and made her many friends. When Joan retired she moved to West Vancouver where she continued her active involvement with the church and spent time enjoying her garden. Joan was predeceased by her parents Ivy Frances Nickerson (nee Bowden) in 1985 and John Clarence Nickerson in 1990; a son John Crispin Ball in 1961 and a daughter Kathryn Joan Ball in 1969. She was predeceased by her former husband Herbert Crispin (Cris) Ball in 2011. She is survived by her daughter Margaret and her husband Ronald, of Regina. She is survived by brother-in-law Harold Ball, sisters-in-law Blanche Wilson and Pauline Hendry. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Joan’s family would like to thank Pasa and Marko Banovic for their caregiving and assistance during these past few years. The family would also like to thank Joan’s friend Ursula Vondette for all her support over the years. Many thanks to Dr. Michael Knight for his support and guidance with Mum’s health. A memorial service will be held in June, in West Vancouver. Donations in Joan's name may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.