Mary “Joan” Fiala (nee Peterson)

Mary “Joan” Fiala (nee Peterson) was born July 3rd, 1949 to Bud and Mary Peterson at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC. Joan grew up in Maple Ridge, BC until age 13, when the family moved to Ashcroft, BC. After graduating from high school and volunteering as a candy striper, she decided to go into nursing. She received her nursing diploma from St Paul’s Hospital in 1971. She also took her post grad in the OR the following year. Joan’s career started at the Burnaby General Hospital in the operating room, then to the Williams Lake Hospital in pediatrics, the Lillooet Hospital in the OR, emergency and general duty, then finally to the Enderby Hospital in general duty, then in Juniper Court and Parkview Place where she enjoyed taking excellent care of the elderly until she retired in 2011.

She met the love of her life, Russell Glen Fiala, in 1969 and was united in marriage at the Zion United Church in Ashcroft on September 4th, 1971. Russ and Joan raised two beautiful daughters, Yvonne and Bonnie, and are so very proud of them. They have two precious grandchildren, Gaël and Mila.

Joan had a love for sports and coached baseball and basketball to young girls. Keeping active, being in nature and living in the moment were inspirational to many who surrounded her.

She was a steersperson for the Pink Pistons Breast Cancer dragon boat team for five years. She was a member of the Lady Striders hiking and biking groups, the Wednesday Wenches cross-country ski group and volunteered in many events for the Larch Hills Ski Club. Teaching Jack Rabbits and helping with the Pirate Loppet were her favorites. She received three bronze medals at the Canadian World Masters at Sovereign Lake for skate skiing events in 2011. She also enjoyed outrigging, kayaking and especially dancing. She loved to work in her yard creating rock gardens and mosaic stepping stones.

Her family and friends were so very important and she loved every moment of family gatherings. She will be missed by her sister Karen, brothers Ted and Jim, brother-in-law Duayne, sister-in laws Linda and Judy, nieces Jenelle, Rhonda and Avalon, nephews Curtis, Corey, Gerald, Todd and many cousins. She felt so very blessed and grateful to have many cherished friends and family who supported her during the tough times of the pandemic and her long, ten-year fight with breast cancer.

Joan departed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday February 9th.

She was predeceased by her parents Bud and Mary Peterson, sister Jean Ann Manning, and nephew Blair Bryon Don Fletcher.

The Celebration of Life will take place at the Grindrod Hall, at 80 2 Avenue in Grindrod, BC on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The War Amps of Canada or to Larch Hills Ski Club in memory of Joan.

Donations can be made online at:
waramps.ca/ways-to-give/donate
skilarchhills.ca

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: