In Memoriam: Joan Ford, Past President, 1972-73

November 4, 1925 - October 31, 2021

Dr. Joan Ford died peacefully on October 31 in Vancouver. She will be remembered as the first woman on the medical staff of the Royal Columbian Hospital and for her dedicated service to her patients in Burnaby and New Westminster over 40 years.
Joan and Sir Edmund Hillary had a long friendship. She was the locus tenens six times in his mountain hospital in Kunde becoming good friends with the people in the clinic within sight of Mount Everest. Her work in the Himalayas was well depicted in the documentary "She Makes Mountain Calls" by Bev Reid (Coming Home Films) which aired from 1997 for several years on Knowledge Network. In 1991 she was awarded the Order of Canada for her services to the Sherpa people.

Joan's love of the outdoors led her to our coastal mountains with many local nature and hiking groups. The Dr. Joan Ford lobby in the new Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is an example of her philanthropic leadership.

She will be sorely missed by her family whom she inspired with her hard work, intelligence, generosity, independence and courage.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memoriam to The Nature Trust of BC or the charity that most exemplifies your connection to her.

The family would like to thank the staff of Revera Crofton Manor in Vancouver for their care over the last several years.

A service will be held at St John's Vancouver Anglican Church (Oakridge Seventh Day Adventist Church), 5350 Baillie St, Vancouver, V5Z 3M5 on Monday November 22nd at 3 pm. As per the BC provincial health guidelines, proof of vaccination will be required for entry.

Published on November 10, 2021