Isobel Joan Kendrick

The world lost a fireball, over-achiever and renaissance woman when Isobel (Joan) Kendrick passed away peacefully in her home on September 13, 2013, almost a month to the hour of her beloved husband Dr. William Ward (Bill) Kendrick. Mom was Dad’s best friend and they enjoyed 55 years of a happy marriage described by Mom as “never a dull moment”. Joan was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on November 12, 1932 and grew up in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Joan graduated as a registered nurse from Regina General Hospital, winning the Pediatric Nursing Prize in 1954. In her “salad days” from 1954-1956, Joan flew for TransCanada airlines and “had a ball”. In 1957, Joan graduated from a post-graduate course in Operating Room Technique at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto. Joan and Bill met while working together in the operating room at Regina General Hospital. They married in 1958 and relocated to Victoria, BC in 1962. Joan carried with her a sense of regret for “not doing more” professionally. But while she regretted never becoming a lawyer, doctor, engineer or news anchor–her children did – in large part because of her drive and support for each one of us. Joan wasn’t a ‘hands-on’ mother. She was a ‘climb on her back’ mother; a constant presence reminding us that giving up was not an option and that excellence was inevitable because we were the most gifted, brilliant children humankind had ever known. Sentiment that she truly believed and never wavered from – and that her children will forever cherish. Joan’s industry, joie de vivre, and talents all sprang from inexhaustible wells. Joan never tackled any skill, project or responsibility at half-speed. Her throttle had only one position – wide open. No child of hers took a project to school until it was ready to be shown in the Smithsonian. The house wasn’t clean until not a speck of dust could be found. A hand-made outfit wasn’t ready to be shown at the annual NOVS show until Coco Chanel was jealous of it. In 1980, Joan won the Greater Victoria Sewing Contest and with her natural beauty worthy of any high fashion runway model, ended up modelling her creations in Fashion Showcase in Victoria for 10 years. During 1978-1979, Joan excelled at the University of Victoria in Art and Theatre. Her university career was followed by several years of running Bill’s surgical assist practice as his office nurse. Joan’s favourite hours were spent nurturing, playing with and sewing for her 5 granddaughters, marathon gardening sessions, playing tennis, running tennis tournaments, biking, skiing, playing electric piano and socializing with her large and long-time circle of friends. Joan never forgot a birthday and we will forever feel a void when our birthday comes around. Joan was much beloved and will be sorely missed by all who had the honour of knowing her. As Joan would say “talk happiness – others have troubles enough of their own.” Joan is predeceased by her husband Dr. William Ward (Bill) Kendrick of Victoria, BC and parents Robert Rennie & Isobel Mary Macfarlane of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Joan is survived by her four loving children, Kathleen (Dan Holte) and Victoria (Gary Bugeaud), of Calgary, Alberta; Robert, of Columbus, Ohio; and Michael (Eliza Coblentz), of Portland, Oregon. She is also survived by five adoring granddaughters; Rachel, Zoe, Parkes, Rennie and Lucy; two step-grandsons Tyler and Chase; former daughter-in-law Kealy Wilkinson of Victoria, BC; and brother John Macfarlane and his wife Jeannie Macfarlane of Regina, Saskatchewan.

Many thanks and gratitude from the entire Kendrick family to those who provided care and support during Mom’s last year of life.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Victoria Hospice Foundation at www.victoriahospice.org. Condolences for the family may be offered below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com.