Joan (Hoy) Kieler

The family sadly announces the passing of Wendy “Joan” Kieler at Ridgewood Lodge, Princeton. Joan had spent the last 6½ years in the care of Ridgewood Lodge and was just one week away from her 82nd birthday.

Joan was born in Princeton Hospital on the eve of the New Year, 1944. Her first home would be at Copper Mountain for a couple of years before her parents moved to Princeton near the CPR station. Her brother Terry came along in 1946, and the family eventually moved to Old Hedley Road near grandparents and great-grandparents. Joan loved living near the creek, with all the great adventures she and her neighbour friends could explore. She loved being a country girl and riding the school bus to school.

She excelled in school and graduated in 1962. She moved to the Summerland/Penticton area and first worked in a dental clinic and at CIBC for a short time. For many years she worked at the Sheriff’s Office in the Penticton Courthouse, retiring from there in the mid-1980s.

She was an extremely hard worker, never letting the seat warm up under her for very long. She was always preparing for what was needed. Each fall her ambition turned to baking for the Christmas holidays. Together with one or two friends, they turned out dozens of butter tarts, shortbread cookies, and other goodies, divided up and put in the freezer. Joan loved to cook and bake, write poetry, crochet, paint, and read many books. She particularly loved history books of the Similkameen Valley. Joan loved all animals, especially her dogs and cats, and found great joy in feeding the wild birds. She was an excellent gardener and grew a large garden with beautiful tall sunflowers.

In good weather you could find her out with her friends “yard sailing,” never missing a weekend. She was always cheerful and smiling, looking for the good in others.

Joan is predeceased by her husband, Donald Kieler; an infant daughter; parents William and Irene (McInroy) Hoy; brother Terry and his wife Beverly; and cousins Pauline, Bruce, and Teresa.

She is survived by nephew Jim Hoy; nieces Jane, Juanita, and Wanda; her aunt June Walker and Len; uncle and aunt Gavon and Shirley McInroy; cousins Charlene, Kirk, Laurel, Landra, and Rod; as well as many, many good friends in Princeton.

A memorial tea for Joan will be held on Saturday,  April 11th  at 1 pm at Senior Citizens Branch 30, 162 Angela Ave,  Princeton.