Joann Clarke

1954 - 2022

With immense sadness, we announce the passing of Joann Michelle Clarke, on Sunday, January 16, 2022, after a brave and courageous battle against ovarian cancer for 6 1/2 years.

Joann was the third daughter of Lloyd and Marcelle of Sudbury, Ontario. She met the love of her life, Roy Clarke in 1975, where they were both employed at INCO. After their marriage in 1978, Joann and Roy moved to Port Alberni, BC.

Joann was an Education Assistant at the Port Alberni School District for 20 years. She loved working with children; they held a special place in her heart. Her goal was to make a positive difference in each of their lives.

Joann Clarke was a genuine and caring person who was dedicated to her family, friends, and community. She fundraised for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was a frequent blood donor until her cancer diagnosis. Joann loved the water, swimming and paddling, and developed an interest in dragon boating. She joined a ladies team, Ladies of the Lake, and could be found practising regularly on Sproat Lake. Her time with the dragon boat team was very rewarding to Joann.

Nature was Joann’s special place; she enjoyed kayaking, biking, swimming, hiking, and camping with her family and friends. She and Roy shared many happy and memorable times travelling together; (west coast - Wild Pacific Trail and long beach in Tofino), Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, and the Rocky Mountaineer. Joann continued to pursue these interests as much as she could during her cancer treatments. She liked to walk on the boardwalk in Parksville during the winter, as it was often sunny in Parksville when it was foggy in Port Alberni. Camping trips on the Island, especially in Parksville, Nanaimo and Victoria, would be highlighted with visits by her granddaughters (loves of her life). Joann was in her element when one of her granddaughters would have a sleepover in Gramma`s tiny house, with her and Grampa. This was the best medicine for Joann as she battled her cancer. Her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, family, and very caring friends were her source of hope, courage, strength, and never-ending love. Her Catholic faith was strong, and gave her strength to keep fighting, she never gave up.

Joann is survived by her husband Roy, son Derek (Debbie), and daughter Samantha (Jeff); granddaughters Alexa, Amanda, Adelaide, Seraphina, and Elowen; sisters Jackie Matsui (Dennis), and Connie Lafond (Robert); sisters & brothers-in-law Darlene, Robert (Laureen), Ron (Julie), Sylvia (Brian), Peter, and Roger; nephews and nieces Jeffrey, Gary, Wendy, Karen, Cole, Robbie, Jaime, Johnathon, Stephen, Shaela, and Shanna; and her very dear, long-time friends that she considered to be family. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Ray, mother-in-law Betty Clarke, father-in-law Bob Clarke, brother-in-law Rick Clarke, and nephew Jeremy Clarke.

Joann expressed an immense amount of gratitude for the experiences she had in life, and the wonderful friends and family who loved and supported her and Roy during her illness. First and foremost, she thanked her loving husband, Roy, for being her rock and dedicated companion for 44 years, and her family and friends. Joann received excellent care and commitment from her medical team during her illness. Their dedication gave her more time to enjoy life with the people she loved most. Extra special mention go to Dr. Andrew Attwell, Dr. Corrie Layher, all the wonderful nursing staff at the Nanaimo Cancer Centre and West Coast General Hospital, Dr. Freddie Meyer, Dr. Charles Craven, her Home Care nurse Margaret, Dr. Johnson and the Palliative Care Team, and Dr. Andrea Rayburn.

A celebration of Joann’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the BC Cancer Foundation, Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, MS Society of Canada, or the Alberni Community and Women’s Services Society.