CLEGHORN, Joan Evelyn (nee McIlmoyl) – Died unexpectedly, on Sunday November 6, 2011. Born July 4 1945, predeceased by husband Leslie Kenneth Cleghorn, mother Margaret Louise McIlmoyl, and father Charles Gilbert McIlmoyl. She will be greatly missed by daughter Kathleen (Bruce) of Ottawa, son Richard (Crystal) of Maple Ridge, sister Maureen (Brian) of Kingston and brother Norman (Lorri) of Victoria. A proud member of several Victoria Pioneer Families, she was an avid genealogist, volunteering with many genealogy organizations and the LDS Family History Centre. She was also an avid amateur photographer, winning several prizes at local competitions in recent years. She was a member of several computer groups, notably a long‑term member of Big Blue and Cousins (BB&C) and the Victoria Linux Users Group (VLUG). A woman with diverse interests throughout her life, she used to race sports cars with the Victoria Motor Sports Car Club and actively supported her children’s sporting activities (soccer, lacrosse, track and field, football, bowling, swimming, figure skating) and encouraged their artistic sides as well (ballet, piano, guitar, bugle and trumpet). Having been a member of 89 Air Cadets in her younger years, she also encouraged and supported Katie and Rick in their military careers. Joan was “Mom” to many of her children’s sports team members, cadet and Reserve friends as well as those serving in the Regular Force. She was intensely supportive of those who served and those who are serving. Please join us for a Celebration of Life to be held Sunday March 4 2012 at the Prince Edward Branch Legion, 761 Station Road in Langford between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Those wishing to may make a donation to either the Heart & Stroke Foundation for BC and the Yukon or the Saanich Pioneer’s Society. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
-
Michele Menzies-Abrash
-
Dave Welham I knew Joan since 1956 and we played clarinet in the bands of Colquitz and Mt. View. I was impressed by her intelligence. We exchanged good-natured “ribbings” through those years, and she will be very much missed at MVHS Grad’62 reunion later this year. Joan I will “tootle” Rebel Rouser in your honour.
-
Ron Nicholson I personally was very saddened to learn of Joan’s passing. I knew Joan through the VGS for a number of years, and she will be missed in the world of genealogy. She was a friend and I appreciate her sharing of knowledge and assistance over the years. My condolences go out to her family, and my wish is that your many fond memories of Joan are a comfort to you at this time of grief.
-
Wendy Leyland I send my sincere sympathy to Joan’s family, and am sorry I will not be able to attend the memorial. Joan was a passionate genealogist, and gave me helpful insights and suggestions for my own family history search. I am grateful for knowing her, and will hold her memory in high regard.
-
Kathy Antonson Sincere sympathies to the family on the passing of Joan.
Bill Morgan (my brother) knew Joan from Mt. View High School, and also the Victoria Genealogical Society. They also organized the
high school reunions, and will both be missed at the 50th grad.
reunion.
I am unable to attend and unfortunately Bill Morgan passed away
last week.
Joan was an amazing photographer and family historian, and her
knowledge will be missed greatly.
-
Joan Hockley Kathleen and Richard
Thinking of you both and sending my sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mom. Joan always told a good story and enjoyed a good laugh. You will miss her. Take care, “Auntie Joanie”
-
Helen and John Hvozdanski Her volunteering at the local Family History Center gave us the much needed help to find our way around this facility. She was a mainstay in carrying Big Blue and Cousins Computer Club through some trying times. Her knowledge of local history gave flesh to the dry facts of local genealogy. Like the bannisters in the Craigflower Rd. house. Using hard Arbutus wood and the need to make them in short sections. You marched to your own drummer, but we will miss your warm helping ways, and your laughs at the ridiculousness of some aspects of life.
-
Claudia Cole I am very sorry for your loss. Though I did not meet any of the family except Joan’s mother, I feel as though I must have been introduced to her children, as she spoke proudly of you so often.
I first knew Joan at Colquitz Junior High, in the Drama Club. She was cast in the part of a mature woman, and though she was only two months older than me, that’s how I saw her — at age 13 — as a very responsible near-adult. Decades later when we met again through a genealogy email list, she proved to have lived a life of many responsibilities. Joan enthusiastically encouraged me to get out and get involved myself in a local genealogical organization, and I have her to thank for connecting me with others of like interests, and also for presenting me with new challenges there. Joan was an initiator, getting new projects started, and taking others along with her. And many times we socialized after meetings, talking genealogy late at night.
The last time I saw her, she stopped to have lunch with me at the White Spot here in Duncan while passing through. We talked on into the dinner hour, and after dinner, talked on until closing time… so much to catch up on, and the latest photos in the camera to show me. I’m so glad now that we had that last day together.
I can hardly believe she’s gone. I think to avoid some of the sadness, I will just imagine her out there somewhere organizing a new and exciting project!
-
Rick & Margaret Cleghorn Our sympathy to your whole family for the loss of your Mom, mother-in-law and sister.
-
Charles Buchanan With the sincerest of condolences from Turi Stephens and Charles Buchanan.
I am so upset and saddened to learn of our Joan’s sudden passing, and I wish her close family and friends my deepest condolences.
I only lately discovered my lovely second-cousin Joan (via the Internet). Her father and mine were first cousins through their mothers, Evis and Catherine Mills, respectively. Joan’s intelligence, warmth, and ebullience radiated across cyberspace in her communiques to me, and I sorely regret we found each other so late in both our travels upon this plane. I hope to visit the Saanich Pioneer Museum, possibly this summer, and donate an antique dress, worn by Joan’s and my great-grandmother, Margarent Nicholson Mills, in my cousin Joan’s name.
With love and sympathies.