Obituary of Joan Gawley

Dagenais (née Gawley), Miriam Joan
-Nurse, Flight Attendant, Military Wife, loving (but sometimes harried) mother of four boys, Florist, Restaurant Manager, gifted pianist and sight-reader, paddler/camper, wonderful gourmet cook, devoted cat owner (Purr), travel-lover, and knitter of thousands of bears for Doctors Without Borders patients-passed away peacefully in Almonte Hospital on August 3rd, 2021, after a short battle with cancer. 
Though she lived in Thunder Bay for the past 24 years, Joan moved to Flower Station two months ago to be closer to her sons, and spent the last two months living happily on a lake, being catered to and pampered. She spent her last week at home surrounded by her family, with lots of laughter and reminiscences. She was lucid and pain-free throughout, which was a blessing.  
Joan entered Almonte hospital on August 1st, 2021, for end-of-life sedation, and received wonderful, compassionate care from the doctors and nurses there.
Joan leaves behind her sister and best friend, Audree (Giovanni Speziale); her sons, Don (Marielle), David (Diane), Danny and Dennis; grandchildren Amber (Charlie Last), Madison (Derek Leenhouts) and Dane; her great-grandchildren Grace, Levon and Emmett; her niece Kathy Barton (Dave Lushney) and great-nephew Matthew; her nephew Brian Barton (Kelly Scallion) and great-nephews Scott and Cameron. She will also be missed by the daughters she never had, sisters Nicole and Julie Koroscil, whom she babysat, and loved, during their formative years and beyond. 
Joan was a delight to all who met her. Her lust for life was an inspiration to so many. She is deeply loved and cherished by her family and will be dearly missed. We have thousands of pictures of Joan, and not one of them is without her big, infectious smile.
A celebration of Joan's life will be held at a later date. In honour of Joan, memorial contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Arrangements are in the care of Blair and Son Funeral Home, Perth.