Joan Elizabeth (Dreyer) Stephens Obituary (1939 - 2024)

Joan Elizabeth Stephens was born in Vancouver at St. Pauls' Hospital on January 29, 1939. Joan passed away on December 9th, 2024 at Campbell River & District Hospital. Predeceased by her husband Wesley James Stephens, Joan is survived by her sons Craig (Morgan) and Dreyer (Evelyn) and grandson Rhys. Arriving in Campbell River in 1965, Joan settled down to a life with Wesley to raise her two boys that came along in 1968 and 1970. From 1975 through to 1981, Joan was elected to Council as an Alderman for the District of Campbell River. Joan was an ardent community supporter and was involved in many venues from the Advisory Planning Commission with the then District of Campbell River to the Salmon Festival Society, Campbell River Skating Club and a trustee with the Campbell River and District Historical Society. Often Joan's character of getting the job done lead her into positions of leadership such as campaign Chairman of the United Appeal in 1975 and 1976. Many other organizations were fortunate to have Joan involved with their activities including the Vancouver Island Publicity Bureau, Upper Island Union Board of Health, the Associated Boards of Health of B.C., The Comox Strathcona Regional District , the Campbell River and District General Hospital, The Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and was appointed to the Ministry Advisors to Women's Programs for the Ministry of Labour. In 1997, Joan served as president of the B.C. Winters Games where she coordinated hundreds of volunteers to what was described as the "best-ever" Games benefiting the community with a legacy of equipment and funding for Campbell River amateur sports groups. Joan was very involved in local politics and stood by her record as a campaign manager getting mayoral and councillor candidates elected to office in Campbell River. In her later years, Joan and Wesley operated Graymour Garden Cottage as a vacation accommodation adjacent to their property on the waterfront where she kept busy tending to her gardens. In respect to her wishes, no service will be held. Donations can be made to her favourite charities including the BC Children's Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital Foundation.