Joan Crowe
Patricia Joan Crowe (formerly Murdoch, nee Bennett) passed away with family by her side at Whitehorse General Hospital on March 24, 2023, following a stroke. Joan was born and raised in Prince Rupert BC, graduating from Booth Memorial High School in 1957. She attended Pittman business college in Vancouver before moving to Whitehorse, Yukon with her first husband, Les. They had three children and started a very successful heating oil company, which she would run following their divorce. It was unusual for a woman to be running a business in those days and Joan was asked more than once if someone could “speak to the boss”. She was very proud to answer, “You’re speaking to her”. After her youngest graduated high school, Joan moved to Vancouver, where she worked as a bookkeeper for an accounting firm and, during Expo 86, she became reacquainted with Wayne Crowe, whom she had known in Prince Rupert. They had a whirlwind courtship, got married and she moved to Victoria. They were a delightful match and enjoyed many happy years together. They travelled to Britain, cruised the Amazon, and took many road trips, during which they would poke around little towns, always stopping for ice cream. After Wayne retired, they moved to Parksville to enjoy the small-town life they loved. Joan enjoyed many hobbies – she was an avid reader, card player and gardener. But most of all, Joan loved spending time with friends and family. She was blessed with wonderful friends her whole life. She loved to tell stories about “the twins” from Prince Rupert and went to many Prince Rupert reunions and get-togethers with the “Prudhomme Lake girls”. She had great friends in Sheila Rear and Hattie Neilson in Whitehorse. In Parksville, they had the Newcomer’s Club, the Kinsmen, and wonderful neighbours. Above all else, Joan loved being with family. Her sister Sheila was her best friend. They spoke on the phone every day at 10 a.m. right up to the end. Joan treasured spending time with her children, stepchildren, their spouses, the grandchildren and her great granddaughter. Her face lit up and she would pull them into the biggest hug every time she saw them. Joan’s home was always full of love, and she welcomed visitors for the day or week or even to live there for a time. She took joy in the many “bonus” children she had over the years.
Joan is survived by her children and their partners: Cal & Rose Murdoch, Lynda Murdoch & Jamie Reed, Barb & Rene Bouvier, Andrew Crowe & Paula Manning, Stephen Crowe, and Catharine Crowe. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Alex, Alexx, Amanda, Katie, Meghan, Taran, and Reed, and one great granddaughter, Arbour, and by her sister Sheila Dorval, niece-in-law Vicki, and nieces and partners Linda & Ken, and Suzie & Chris. She is predeceased by the love of her life, Richard Wayne Crowe, and by her nephews Ken and Joe Dorval.
Heartfelt thanks to Claudia, Guy, and Jared Morgan, Dr. Brad Avery, the staff at the Whistle Bend Day Program, and the nurses at Whitehorse General Hospital, who helped fill our mom’s last years and days with as much love, dignity, and peace as possible. Please hug a loved one or do something kind for someone in need. Mom would like that.