Obituary of Joan Flack

B I O G R A P H Y FLACK: Joan Kathleen Flack of St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, formerly of Spruce Lake, passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at the age of 87 years. Joan is survived by: two sons: Michael Hughes and his wife Claire of Turtleford, Larry Hughes and his wife Audrey also of Turtleford; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The funeral service for Joan was conducted from the Spruce Lake Community Hall on Monday, November 8, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Canon Don Skinner officiating. A eulogy was given by Becky and Collin Walker. Eileen Seabrook was the soloist. The hymns sung were "Church In The Wildwood," “Amazing Grace,” and “In The Sweet Bye and Bye.” Honorary pallbearers were Becky Walker and Nicole Hughes as well as all of Joan's friends. Active pallbearers were: Grandchildren: Daniel Hughes, Marty Hughes, Richard Hughes, Bonnie Hughes, Rosalie Hughes and Heather Hughes. Interment followed in the Emmaville Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster and Turtleford administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy by Becky Walker Joan Kathleen Flack was born in Kamloops, BC on September 25, 1917, to William Devick (from Basel Switzerland) and Nina Marina Yates (from Birmingham, England). The Devick family were early pioneer ranchers near Heffley Creek, BC. Joan and her younger brother, Ralph, were raised on the “Klondike Ranch,” which was up in the mountains about thirty miles north of Kamloops. The ranch was situated in a beautiful area of forests and alpine meadows. With the remoteness of the area, Joan and Ralph took their schooling by correspondence. Their mother had been a schoolteacher in England, so she was able to help them along. In the early 1940's, Joan moved to Vancouver, where she worked in the Boeing Airplane Plant during World War II. While in Vancouver she met and married Daniel Hughes, a soldier serving in the army. Two years later, in November, along came their first son, Daniel Michael (Michael). In 1948, Joan and her family moved to a family west of Cleeves, SK (the Bradley place). A few years later, they moved again, just northeast of Cleves, to the Doc Fry place. In October of 1952, their second son, Larry, joined the family. They continued to operate their mixed farm and raised their family together. In the mid 1950's Joan had to go to the Sanatorium in Prince Albert, SK when she came down with Tuberculosis. She stayed there for one and one half years, while Michael and Larry went to live in Kamloops with their Granny Devick and Auntie K. after Joan came home from Prince Albert and the boys returned to from BC, things carried on normally until 1965, when Dan passed away suddenly. Joan continued on and managed the family farm, with the kind help of family, friends and neighbors. In 1972, Joan married Jack Flack and moved to Spruce Lake, SK. They were semi-retired, and spent their time travelling and enjoying being with family, friends and home life. Jack passed away in 1985. Joan stayed in Spruce Lake, when she enjoyed the company of her friend, family and grandchildren. Thanks to the dedicated Home Care Workers, Joan was able to continue living independently at her home for many years. In 1999, Joan moved to the Lakeland Lodgein St. Walburg, SK, where she enjoyed companionship and activities for the last five and a half years. Joan passed away on November 4, 2004, with her loving family at her side. Joan lived a long life of 87 years. She had a steadfast nature. She was quiet, kind and gentle with inner strength and resilience. The family would like to thank the ladies from Home Care who helped Joan when she still lived in Spruce Lake. Thank you to the staff at the Lakeland Lodge for their years of loving care. Your kindness will never be forgotten.