Flewwelling, Joan Elizabeth – It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our Mom, Joan Elizabeth Flewwelling on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in The Birches Nursing Home, Musquodoboit Harbour at the age of 94. Born in Dartmouth, she was the third daughter of the late John and Hilda Paterson.
She attended Dartmouth schools and Mount Allison and Dalhousie Universities. She received her BA and Education degrees from Dalhousie, and a diploma of Certified Drug Dispenser; and she also attended the School of Fine Arts at Mount Allison University.
Joan married Richard “Dick” Flewwelling in 1953 and together they were blessed with three boys, the late John Gilford, Ian Leslie and Peter Gilford. Dick built and managed two pharmacies in Dartmouth, Flewwelling Pharmacy in Westphal and Woodlawn Pharmacy, before moving to Musquodoboit Harbour to open a second Flewwelling Pharmacy there.
Besides working for Dick in the pharmacy over the years, Joan was active in her community. She was influential in the starting of art classes in the village, was secretary to the Board of Twin Oaks Hospital and The Birches Nursing Home, sang in the choir of First United Church, was the organist in St. Thomas’ Anglican Church and in First United Church. She was called upon to play the organ in most of the churches, large and small, on the Eastern Shore, when needed.
She, along with friends, opened a craft shop in their barn in 1980, which served local craft people for many years. It was known as the Old Anderson House.
She became well-known as a local artist, teaching and holding workshops and encouraging the local art community. Most of her oil and water colour paintings show scenes of the Eastern Shore.
In 2010 she printed a book, assisted by Mary Dickson, called Dwelling Places, which consisted of over 200 ink drawings of local old houses, with write-ups about each building and the families who lived there.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dick; her little son, John; her sister, Vera (late Ray) Adlington; and her parents.
She is survived by her sons, Ian (Julie), Peter (Cheryl); grandsons, Richard (Emily), Adam (Brenden), Benjamin (Hanna); and her sisters, Ruth (Harry) Eisenhauer, Isobel Paterson; as well as nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the Doctors and staff of The Birches Nursing Home for the wonderful care of our Mom over the past several years.
There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 1 pm at First United Church, Musquodoboit Harbour. Rev. Joan Griffin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Church in Musquodoboit Harbour, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or charity of choice.
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