Fonk, Audrey Joan, born March 2 1953 in Ladysmith, BC. “Joanie” went to be with her Lord and Saviour March 30, 2020, Victoria BC at the age of 67.
Joanie spent her early years in Ladysmith BC, North Vancouver, and came to Victoria BC at the age of 16 where her father took on the pastorate of North Douglas Pentecostal Church. Joanie graduated from Mt. View High and went on to enter the LPN training at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Upon graduation she went to work full time at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Joanie and I were married in 1974. She worked full time at RJH until the children reached school age and then started working part time for several years until finally the decision was made to retire and to concentrate on raising her family. Joanie was active in her church organizing and hosting teas, dinners, and creating costumes for Christmas plays.
We have had a trailer at Nanoose Bay Pentecostal Camp for over 40 years and continued to return every year for rest and relaxation. Joanie also spent many summers at Nanoose Bay Teen Sports Camp for a week of baking desserts with her friend, the “blond bakers”, for hundreds of teens. Not surprisingly with Joanie’s sense of humor, they were often the instigators of pranks and other mischief during camp week.
Joanie loved life, her garden, and made home a great place to be. Friends were always welcome and Joanie reached out to those in need. Vacations were hardly ever planned far in advance and were always an adventure. Joanie insisted that we had to travel while we had our legs and we enjoyed many years of travel.
We are grateful for the many friends and acquaintances that reached out to us during this time, and for their support and prayers. Our thanks and appreciation to our family doctor, staff at VGH, RJH, and VIHA for their excellent support and care for Joanie. It was our desire for her to be at home during her illness where she peacefully passed away.
Joanie is survived by her husband John; son Derek (Crystal) and their sons Avery (10) and Oliver (7) Victoria; her daughter Christy (Jonathan) Lantz and their daughters Victoria (3) and Elizabeth (2) Camarillo CA; Brother Bill (Ruth) Pendray, Victoria; Sister Marlene (Scott) Duncan, Port Coquitlam; Sister-in-law Bea (Alex) Gammie, Rocky Mountain House; and Sister-in-law Louise (Glen) Darou, Vancouver; Aunt Dorothy (Ken) Pridham, Ladysmith; Aunt June (Stu) Langdon, Kamloops; Predeceased by parents Harold (Audrey) step-mother(Lois) Pendray; Father-in-law Dirk (Louise) Fonk.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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David & Linda Grist
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Bill & Janice Cheetham (BB) What an amazing women. Joanie’s care and compassion will be missed. She has touched so many lives. Our lives are richer for having spent time with Joanie at teen camp. She poured her heart into everything she did starting with her family and then her friends. Joanie you still make us laugh. So many good times. You live in our hearts forever. Carry on your good work in heaven preparing all those delicious desserts. Hope you get a little more time off up there than we had at camp. The head cook was a slave driver. Thank you John for the good conversation we shared.
Sincerely Bill & Jani Cheetham (aka Blonde Baker, Partners in Fun)
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Connie Kalinski Steve Kalinski and family.
Our condolences to the family. May God be with you all during this difficult time.
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Sonya & Jim Guthrie Our love and prayers were with you all today as you laid our dear, friend Joanie to rest. May God’s loving arms surround you all during these difficult days, and give you peace. We will always cherish all the fun vacations and times together over the many years, since she was my Bridesmaid. I will truly miss her…❤️❤️❤️ Until we meet again, dear Joanie.
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Dirk Stewart Heart felt condolences to you John. I do know what you are going through and would like you to know that things will only get better. The fact that you have a large family and your faith will be huge at this time.
Over the years our paths have passed many times and I believe the last time I saw you guys was at Katrina’s open house. Joanny was always so kind and although she was quiet she had a magical sparkle about her and a passion for life. I wish you all the best in this time ahead.
Sincerely
Dirk
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Maureen Mireau I am so sad about this news of Joanie, we took our LPN training together, we had many fun times during our training, and all the times we would run into each other at RJH. May your memories of Joanie lift you up during this most difficult time. I will remember her with my own happy ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Maureen{Moretti}Mireau
John and family… We are so sorry for your loss of such a special wife, mother and grandma. I remember vividly the last chat I had with Joanie at camp. I commented to her that she was the only woman I knew who was brave enough to wear white pants at camp. She always looked impeccable with a smile on her face. She did wonderful things at the camp with gardening – she blessed us all! We were just looking over some pictures of those years where the blonde bakers worked at teen camp. They had so much fun and shared it with so many. She will be missed.