We Remember
MILES, Joan (Prevalnig; née Paluk)
—
Joan passed away peacefully the morning of April 5, 2023, at Kelowna General Hospital, in the arms of her son Brian, while her husband Bob played her favourite song, Hallelujah, at her bedside. Joan had spent the previous weekend at home with Bob, with a visit from her beloved son Brian, daughter-in-law Heather, and her two beautiful grandchildren Ryker and Keltie. She was fortunate to have two amazing brothers in her life, Richard “Ric” and Michael, and her Winnipeg stepfamily and grandchildren.
Those that knew Joan know that she was a very giving and caring person. She was also very articulate in recognizing and expressing to others the things that she valued and that were important to her. These skills contributed to deep and meaningful relationships with those that she loved, including her family and a wide circle of friends, and were part of her success with her extraordinary and brilliant career at Great-West Life.
It should be no surprise that Joan was also very clear in communicating her wishes at the end of life; it was her “demand” that there be no funeral and no formal announcement or obituary. Rather than focusing on feelings of grief or sorrow, Joan wanted those that knew her to celebrate and remember the good times that you had together. If you believe that Joan touched your life in a positive way, she would want you to know that the impact that you had on hers was even greater. She had such respect for and cherished the many people that touched her life.
Joan’s family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the medical team that worked with us since our arrival in Kelowna last summer. In particular, we would like to thank the dedicated team in the Clinical Teaching Unit at Kelowna General Hospital for their compassionate care and expertise.
The family is going to take some time to consider possible gatherings at a future date that would be consistent with Joan’s wishes. Any plans will be communicated on this site.
One of Joan’s legacies is the huge community of family and friends that she created and nurtured around her. Please join us in sharing favourite memories and stories here, as one way of respectfully honouring Joan.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
When I remember Joan, I have many random thoughts:
1. Joan always addressed me as “Love”….
2. Joan got a “hole in one” at the golf course in Winnipeg.
3. Joan adored Brian, her only child. I remember how proudly she showed me a photo , on display in her hallway , of Brian with an RCMP officer.
4. Joan was also very proud of Brian’s art work when Brian was a child. One masterpiece was on display
in Florida, at the home of RJ and Susie Simms.
5. I will always think of Joan when I see “poke tuna” on a restaurant menu. That seemed to be her go-to dish when we met for lunch in Palm Desert. It seems so trivial as I write this, but she will be in my thoughts every time I read the words “poke tuna”.
6. Years ago when I produced “Reach for the Top”:at CBC, Joan, as a Vice-President at Great-West Life,came to the taping of the series finale to present a cheque from Great-West to the winning team.
She looked so beautiful on camera, And she needed no rehearsal to say exactly the right things.
7. I have all sorts of random thoughts when I think about Joan, But in sum, Joan was the perfect embodiment of mankind at its finest. Having Joan as a friend was indeed a privilege.
6.,
RCMP officer
Joan lived thousands of miles away but we were in contact monthly e changing family pictures and stories. I will miss her a bunch.
Love Brian & Connie
We are deeply saddened by Joans passing. Our thoughts, prayers and love are offered to Bob and his family and to Brian and his family.
I feel fortunate to have become Joans friend more than 30 years ago, and although we met through a business relationship; we became fast personal friends and remained friends thereafter, golfing at St. Charles, sharing some fantastic meals – Joan was an awesome cook, and sharing all the good times with the band at their concerts. Joan was one of the most genuine persons I had the privilege to know, always upbeat with a great outgoing personality. Each and every get together was truly joyful. We feel blessed to have known Joan and to have been considered her friend.
We will miss her…..
My condolences to Joan’s family.
I met Joan at Great-West Life over thirty five years ago. It was a pleasure to know her and work with her over the years.
I last saw her in Winnipeg in the summer of 2019 at a grocery store. We hadn’t seen each other for almost 10 years but Joan hadn’t changed….she was her same warm, friendly self.
She will be missed by her family and many friends.
Joan encouraged me to be as good as I could be; being a female leader within in Great-West came with a lot of challenges. She and I often roomed together at meetings giving us lots of personal moments. I liked Joan and admired her ability to stay calm even when she mistakenly left her briefcase at the ATM in Jackson Square Hamilton with all of the objectives for the various Ontario offices inside. We shared a laugh or two later that none of the Regional Directors questioned why she arrived with only a lined pad………..! The world tipped when she left but I know for certain that her star will be the brightest in the night sky.
Janice and I had an evening with Joan and her husband Bob. We had not seen her for a number of years, and it was wonderful to see her again
She was a kind caring person, whenever we saw her. We had looked forward to seeing her in Kelowna
So sad to see her only once here
Our warmth goes out to Son Brian and Joan’s husband Bob.
Love to you both
We are privileged and happy to have Joan and Bob as friends. We simply wish to pass on our love to Bob and family. God bless and happy memories… from the Frodsham Family.
Bob and Brian and family,
Our condolences to you and your family. Joan was kind, generous and friendly and loved by all and will be dearly missed.
We met Joan and Bob through the Blue Bombers and spent many great years enjoying Bomber games and travelling to Clear Lake annually with the Bomber friends for golf weekends.
We followed Echo Park at many venues always with Joan in attendance with program in hand enjoying her “boys” Bob, Brian, Ric in performance.
Joan loved her family and friends and for that we will be forever grateful.
It was a sad day when we lost our dear Joanie. But every memory and moment we shared was so special. She was truly a class act and it was a privilege to be her friend.
My deepest condolences to Bob and families. Joan was always a kind, positive and warm soul. One memory that comes to mind was at an Echo Band venue at the Norwood. Joan was up on stage and singing with the band. Just like her brother “”Ric””, she had an incredible voice. I hold fond memories of the times we got together. She was always engaging and accepting of all. Rest well dear Joan.
Colette and I first met Joan through Bob a little over 20 years ago. What struck us then was that she was always put together. Joan knew who she was. Gracious, giving and someone who had a unique sense of humour.. A very special person that Colette and I really enjoyed. Through the years Joan was incredibly supportive of Echo Park. She was one of our biggest advocates and promoters. Monday nights we used to blast away in their home and, she never once complained or, at least not to the band. Often, she would host Colette while we practiced, and they would join us in the basement for our final song. Amazed sung by brother Ric was one of her favorites. Truly Great memories.
The most compelling memory of Joan was in the early years of hers and Bobs relationship. Joan invited us all over for a swim and BBQ. What stayed with me was how inclusive she was. Children and stepchildren were are all invited and treated equally. Joan was a warm and loving soul. There is a special place in heaven for her 💕
I met Joan and her husband Bob through Joan’s brother Ric. Ric and I had formed Canadian Express – a musical group more or less dedicated to playing the music of Canadian artists. We were musical partners until his untimely passing last year on July 3rd. Ric and I always played Hallelujah as our last song of the night which was always dedicated to his sister Joan. Ric would say, “If my sister is still here, I would like to dedicate this next tune to her”. Well, she was always there of course, waiting to hear us play it – such patience! Her support for Ric was unfailing. I know how much Ric loved his sister – he would often say “she’s my greatest fan”. He really appreciated her support. If Ric were here now, I know we would still be playing and singing Hallelujah as our closing tune. And it would not surprise me if he would still say “If my sister is still here, I would like to dedicate this next tune to her”. He really loved her with all his heart. Joan is and always will be a part of my fond memory of playing with her brother Ric. My family condolences to Bob, Michael and their respective families.
Patrick Dyck
Lorne and my heartfelt condolences go out to Bob, Brian, Michael, Heather and the entire family.
I first met Joan in 1985 when she hired me at Great West Life. Lorne and I became great friends of hers and Wally’s and then of Bob’s when he entered her life. Joanie always said that she was so very fortunate to have had two great husbands in her life and that she loved them both deeply. She was such a terrific lady; she deserved that joy.
One of the many things I loved about Joan was that she made every get together a wonderful event. She had a passion for life that filled her heart and every occasion we celebrated together. The Jets/Canucks games were particularly fun!
One last story I would like to share was her enjoyment of grocery shopping at Trader Joes. Crazy, but Joan loved it. She got her coffee and then slowly meandered through the aisles, scoping out fabulous products to try and then to recommend to the rest of the gang.
I was very privileged to call her my friend for 38 years and I will miss her terribly…
Rest in peace, Joanie.
We are heartbroken. We will remember Joan with great fondness and love. Our sincere condolences to Bob and family.
We were so saddened to hear of Joan’s sudden passing. We both have known Joanie for most of our adult lives; first as a business associate but, more importantly as a wonderful friend..
Everyone loved Joanie; she never said a bad word about anyone.
She was non-judgmental, compassionate and loving. Her family meant everything to her. Joan was so proud of Brian and his Great-West Life career accomplishments. She loved Brian and Heather so much and when her grandchildren were born, she was so thrilled and happy!!
Bob, Joan was so proud of you for your many talents and loved you and loved being part of your life.
We were blessed and proud to be her friends. The world was a better place with Joanie in it.
With love, Betty and David
Heartfelt thoughts to Joan’s family & friends. Had the absolute privilege to work wiith her in HR and she was second to none, the kindest, most classy, sincere professional lady. Brian you were such a little guy then. Your mom had grown up next door to my Aunt and Uncle & she always asked how they were doing many years later. Her fairness I will never forget. Cherish your many wonderful memories and may you and Bob and family take comfort she & your dad Wally are reunited and hosting a pool party in heaven.