Obituary: THERIAULT, Joan Margaretta (nee Watson)

Passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017 at Extendicare Maple View in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Joan was born in Kingston, Ontario on January 24, 1926 to Captain John and Elda Watson (Ross). Her parents, her husband of 65 years, George Theriault, and her brother Ross Watson preceded her in death. She is survived by her sisters, Joyce N. Watson and Elda Jacqueline (Jackie) McConnell of Sault Ste. Marie, as well as three sons John Theriault of Sault Ste. Marie, George Theriault Jr. of Foleyet, Ontario, Richard Theriault of Cambridge, Ontario and three daughters, Elizabeth Pasco of Oxford, Mississippi, Jody Terio of Toronto and Jane Deans of Vlodrop, Netherlands. Joan has seven grandchildren: Joel Theriault, Jenna Theriault Ayeni, Bryon Deans, Aubrey Deans, Jade Lamarche, Breanna Miller (Murphy), Victoria Theriault; and three great-grandchildren: Gabriel Ayeni, Matteo Theriault and Greyson George Ayeni; as well as many nieces and nephews. Joan grew up in Belleville, Ontario, attended Belleville High School and then studied at Queen’s University in Kingston. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Kingston General Hospital in 1948. After graduating she joined the RCAF in Ottawa and worked as a Nursing Pilot Officer until she married Pilot Flight Lieutenant George Theriault in 1950. George and Joan were stationed in RCAF airbases in Goose Bay, Labrador and Edmonton, Alberta before George started his own air service in Chapleau, Ontario in 1954.  Joan worked alongside her husband George building their business, Theriault Air Service, first in Chapleau and later in Wawa, Hawk Junction, Foleyet, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. Over the years their sons John and George Jr. joined the air service. George Theriault Jr., along with his wife Jeanne and son Joel Theriault, currently operate the business in Foleyet, Ontario as Air Ivanhoe. Joan and George spent the winters in Lake Placid, Florida for 30 years where they both became avid golfers and Joan played tennis. When Joan and George Theriault moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 2001 they joined the Root River Golf Club.  Joan enjoyed many activities in Sault St. Marie including Tai Chi at the Senior Drop-in Center as well as weekly outings with her sisters, Joyce Watson and Jackie McConnell. The Theriault family would like to thank the staff at Extendicare Maple View and all the caregivers in Harmony Bay. We truly appreciate the time they spent with Joan over the past three years.