Obituary of Joan Marie Nowlin

Joan Marie Nowlin, 80 of Wolfville passed away on February 17, 2020 in the Valley Regional Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Morley and Hilda (Jordan) Nowlin.

Joan was a remarkable cook and homemaker, her favorite place was in her kitchen, preparing meals and baking for family and friends. She was never one to be idle, so after cooking, canning, pickling or baking; she loved knitting, sewing and adding to her extensive cookbook collection. Joan also treasured her time visiting a local Tea and Sale with her sister Marilyn.

In later years, Joan found her partner in the kitchen and in life, Murray Tanner. They enjoyed mini holidays throughout the Maritimes and trips to Ontario and Michigan to visit family.  Their many stops were to coffee shops, restaurants, and Joan could never pass a bakery without paying a quick visit to just look around.  Joan and Murray filled their hearts with weekly attendance at any Valley church service where her long-time and loving friend Reverend Gary Manthorne was conducting the sermon.  She was a long-time resident of Tideways Retirement Apartments in Wolfville.  Some of her favorite pastimes were the ladies’ tea parties or cooking for neighbors.

Joan will be missed by all the special people she had created friendships with over the years at Tideways.

Throughout Joan’s life, she had “mothered many people”; active in her community for many years as the Brownie Leader for Girl Guides of Canada, she loved children and encouraged all to learn and grow.  Joan also believed no one should go without food and welcomed many people into her home, here they were well-fed and loved.  To her children, her motto was, “You must learn how to cook, swim and drive”.

In Recent weeks, Joan battled her illness with hopefulness and humor. With enthusiasm, she welcomed her partner, sister, children, grandchildren and friends during her hospital stay with love and grace, never losing her passion for life and family.

Joan was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Joan is survived by her partner in life Murray Tanner; children Vicki (Don) Freer; Valerie (Dale) Johnston; Chris (Denise) Barzilay; Danny Barzilay; grandchildren Marnie Freer, Brent (Laurie) Freer; Jennifer (Nathan) Manis;  Jason (Lindsey) Freer; Angela (Alex Charette) Johnston; Samantha (Richard Ibrahim) Johnston; Kayla (Brendon Sheahan); Jordan (Kendra Lavigne); sister Marilyn (Gary) MacKenzie; half sister Helen Levy; niece Anne; nephew Michael; great-grandchildren Natalie, Olivia, Blake, Evan, Conner, Zoe, Ezra, Audrey and Erica. Mom also took into her heart Murray’s children Mary (Jeff) Long; Tanya (Bruce) Hoyt; Matt Tanner; Terry Tanner; grandchildren Greg (Michelle), Mitchell (Amber), Jacob (Alyssa), Cameron, Erik, Noel (and family), Mick (Meghan), Sage (Jillian), Krystal and Emily; great-grandchildren, Ava- Rose, Jayden, Peyton, Paige, Paxton and Serena.

Joan was predeceased by her brother Wayne, half sister Ethel Lake, nephew Brian MacKenize and grandson Duane Freer.

Red was Joan’s favorite color, please feel free to wear a touch of red to honor a great lady.

A Visitation will take place on Monday, February 24, 2020 from 1:30 pm with a Memorial Service following at 2:30 pm, both in Wolfville Funeral Chapel. Interment will take place in Black River Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wolfville Nursing Home, 601 Main Street, Wolfville, NS, B4P 1E9.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Wolfville Funeral Chapel, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, B4P 1E5 (902-542-4656).