Skip to content

Joan (nee Hawkins) Harrrigan

July 15, 2003

Passed away peacefully on July 15, 2003 at Peace Arch Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Joan was born in Stowmarket, Suffolk, England and raised at William Head near Victoria. At the time William Head was a government Quarantine Station and provided a unique childhood. After completing Victoria High School and Sprott Shaw Business College, Joan worked in Victoria. She married Carl Bell and raised her two children in New York State. She attended and graduated "Summa cum Laude" from New York State University in Buffalo and then completed her Masters Degree. She taught elementary school in Buffalo NY and on Long Island, NY. In 1971 Joan moved back to the West Coast to be near her ailing mother. She was a counselor at Cloverdale Jr. Secondary for three years and a school Principal at Fleetwood and Grosvenor Road schools for ten years. In 1980 Joan married Bill Harrigan and they lived in White Rock.

Joan's life was full of exciting travel and adventures. For many years she was a boating enthusiast. As well she travelled to the far corners of the planet, including China, Nepal, India, the British Isles, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ecuador, Russia, Greece, Africa and the Galapagos. She especially loved her trips to Kenya and the Galapagos where she could be with the animals and she especialy loved the giraffes. Joan is survived by her husband, Bill Harrigan, her daughter Sharon Bell of Pomona, CA, her son Carl Bell of Tampa, FL, sister, Hazel Drew of N. Vancouver, her daughter-in-law Cheryl Bell, three wonderful grandchildren, Meredith Christopher, Brooke Bell and Lauren Bell. She also leaves her wonderful nieces and nephews, Debbie Drew, Bradley Drew, Craig Drew and Deanna Harlow. She will be deeply missed by her family and so many friends around the world. The service will be held at Good Shepherd Church, 2250 - 150 Street, Surrey on Wednesday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing for family and friends at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre on Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to White Rock Hospice. A very special thank you to the nursing staff on the Palliative Care Unit at Peace Arch Hospital.