Obituary of Joan Miles

MILES - Joan Miles, longtime resident of Yorkton, widow of the late Morris Miles, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. She was 89 years of age. Joan Margaret Ida Miles was born August 28, 1919 at Beckham, England; daughter of Harold and Ida Shawyer. After completing her schooling, she worked at the General Post Office in London, England and later became an Air Raid Warden early in World War 2. In April 1943, she joined the W.A.A.F. On June 21, 1945 Joan married Morris Henry Miles, a member of the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps. In April 1946, she came by ship to Canada with a group of war brides landing in Halifax at the now famous Pier 21, then traveled across Canada by train to join Morris in Balcarres, Saskatchewan to look after the Miles family farm. In 1949, they moved to Weyburn and then to Yorkton in 1956. After moving to Yorkton, Joan became an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as worthy Matron a number of times. She was a dedicated member of her church and community; serving as President of the Anglican W.A. and later the A.C.W., a member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Choir and a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society. Six years ago, Joan moved from their Logan Crescent residence to the Fairview Arms Apartments where she was an active member of the Condo Association. In June 2008, Joan traveled to England with her son Keith and his wife Pat where she was able to see her nephew, cousins and their families. Upon returning, she was diagnosed with cancer. Joan continued to live a very active life until her last week. Joan leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life: her daughter Pam and husband John Lyttle of Saskatoon, her son Keith and his wife Pat of Airdrie; four grandsons; Jeffrey Zepp, Trevor Miles, and Kelly Miles, all of Calgary, and one granddaughter, Melissa Zepp and her significant other Kristian Watters of Winnipeg, two great grandchildren, Liam Miles Simpson and Avery Watters of Winnipeg. Joan was predeceased by her husband Morris in 1998, both of her parents, her brother Donald and sister Dorothy. Joan leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life: her daughter Pam and husband John Lyttle of Saskatoon, her son Keith and his wife Pat of Airdrie; four grandsons; Jeffrey Zepp, Trevor Miles, and Kelly Miles, all of Calgary, and one granddaughter, Melissa Zepp and her significant other Kristian Watters of Winnipeg, two great grandchildren, Liam Miles Simpson and Avery Watters of Winnipeg. Joan was predeceased by her husband Morris in 1998, both of her parents, her brother Donald and sister Dorothy. Cremation took place at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Crematorium. The funeral service was held on Thursday, February 26, 2009 from Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Yorkton. Rev. Kim Salo officiated, assisted by Rev. Ken Buchan. Tributes were given by Alex Miles and Marjorie Felgate. Organist, Judy Berg, and pianist, Joleen Cherland led members of the church choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Amazing Grace', 'The Lord's My Shepherd', and 'In the Garden'. The choir sang as the recessional 'The Nunc Dimittus'. Members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Yorkton #92 attended the service and were the honorary bearers. The Legion Tribute Service also took place, conducted by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Alexander Ross branch #77, Yorkton. The interment preceeded the service in the Garden of Memories at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with son Keith serving as the urnbearer. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Thursday, February 26th, 2009 2:00pm Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens