December 2, 1928 - February 4, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
How do you fit someone's life on a single page, especially when that life was 95 years long? Joan was born in Lashburn, Saskatchewan on December 2, 1928 to Herb and Alice Browning. She had 3 older siblings - Charlie, Elva, and Peggy.
Joan married twice, first to Don Cowie in Saskatoon, Sask., in 1947. Together they had 3 children - Chris, Deryl, and Donna. After divorcing when the children were young Joan went on to marry the love of her life, Dale Jacobsen in 1957.
Joan and Dale had so many adventures from traveling for Dale's work throughout BC, to traveling for fun...often just across the border to Lake Chelan for a little rest and relaxation with a bit of casino gambling in the mix.
Having been born missing one hip socket Joan was well acquainted from an early age with the medical system as she spent weeks, sometimes months, at a time in hospital. Understanding first-hand the importance of medical care at all stages of life, she joined other like-minded people in Clearwater to promote the establishment of a hospital here in Clearwater, where she and her family had moved to in 1961.
Although unable to play sports herself Joan was the ultimate fan. In the '70s the family company, GD Trees, sponsored a local fastball team with uniforms and equipment, and Joan was often in the stands up and down the North Thompson Valley cheering on her team.
In her later years Joan enjoyed watching sports on tv and kept in touch daily by texting with family members to talk about what she was watching - usually curling, hockey, baseball, or bullriding!
In 1984 the Clearwater Mayday celebration organizers named Joan and Dale as that year's Honorary Parade Marshalls. Also that year, as founding members of the Wells Gray Curling Club they were awarded honorary lifetime memberships for their contributions.
One of Joan's proudest moments was cheering from behind the glass at the Clearwater mixed curling Easter Bonspiel as the Jacobsen rink won the coveted 1st in the A event championship curling trophy.
Joan's enduring sense of humour (oh that twinkle in her eyes!), and great love for her family will never be forgotten.
She is survived by her sister Peggy Stender, her children Chris Cowie, Deryl Cowie (Darlene), and Donna Cowie, her step-son Dale Jacobsen (Lynda), and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan left us on February 4, 2024 just as she wished, in her own home, with family present.
From Joan's high school yearbook (see photo below): Joan, hailing from Lashburn, Sask., joined the City Park crowd in first year, and since then we have all become acquanted with her ready smile and pleasing personality, Joan's main interests are dancing and bowling, and she has always had a high academic standing.
On graduating, Joan hopes for a position as a telephone operator. We know that she will be successful in whatever she does.
(Note: Shortly after graduation Joan did indeed begin work as a telephone operator!)
If you would like to make a contribution in memory of Joan Jacobsen please consider donating to either the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or the Clearwater Humane Society.
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