March 12, 1943 - May 6, 2020
Joan Dora Riise peacefully passed on in the presence of loved ones. Earlier, on that calm, big-blue sky day she was smiling ear to ear, while working her horse with her great granddaughter.
Joan appeared to be nearing the end of a hard fought recovery from open heart surgery. For whatever reason, her heart could not carry her any further. This unexpected event was all that could stop her from heading back to her off-grid homestead after spending months recovering with her loving family.
Her family is forever grateful for those last few months of time shared with her. Be saddened not by this news. She is now free from the begrudgingly limited body that restrained her from flying like her untamable spirit demanded.
She is survived by her daughter Teresa, her grandchildren, Jessie, Stephanie, and Britnie, and five adoring great-grandchildren, Sylvannah, Kade, Abbie, Aurora and Bryce. Joan lived a life that most would describe as unnecessarily challenging. I believe it was necessary and admirable. A truly sustainable and gratifying way of life that left murals and lessons rather than scars and waste.
The great philosopher Soren Kierkegaard is quoted saying "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced". Joan may not have known this quote, but she lived as though it was her creed. She lived, and experienced her life on her terms. In a world that now follows arrows on the floor to stay safe from the slightest risk of harm, her way of life shines like a beacon in a fog of despair.
Perfection is not the story being told here. No one would accuse her of such tragedy. She held her own to the very end. I believe our grandmother did what most can only dream of, she authored her own life, poetry incarnate. She is missed greatly, and remembered with dignity and honor. Please join us in celebration of her grand life at 5198 Timothy Lake Road, in Lac La Hache BC, on July 26th 2020, at 11 am.