Obituary of Joan Frances Steen

I lost Joan, my wife and life companion of 57 years, on Friday, July 21. 2023 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Montreal on November 1, 1942, Joan Frances (Chaloner) Steen is a daughter of Edward

Hilton and Gwendolen Mary (Holland) Chaloner, who both predeceased her.

Joan was strong and determined, and had in recent months made substantial progress in recovering from serious illness before her unexpected passing. She is survived by her sons, Edward M. “Ted” (Kerry Ann King) Steen of New

York, USA, Paul G. (Lisette) Steen of Toronto, six grandchildren, Emma, Lillie, Alexander, Nathaniel, Carley and Leah, one brother Edward H. “Ted” Jr. (Lydia Walshin) Chaloner of Boston USA, one sister Gillian (Nils) Chaloner Larsson

of Ottawa, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

I would be remiss not to say what a large role Joan had in raising our sons to be fine and responsible family oriented men.

Joan taught for many years, for the most part Grade 1 at Island View School in Saint John West, and was universally admired by her students and their parents. In her own school years, she spent summers at an Episcopalian summer

camp on the Hudson River managed by her father and mother, where she became a proficient swimmer and grew into a leadership role as senior camp counsellor. She had a wonderful circle of friends everywhere she went, and loved

cooking and baking, sewing, working at church functions, and entertaining youngsters outside of school hours. A particularly important event each Christmas season was Joan’s construction of gingerbread houses to be decorated and

nibbled on by her sons and a group of their friends.

Her friends have been a great source of strength in recent months; in particular I must mention Karen Steen, her sister-in-law, for her support.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John, N. B. (506-634-1701), www.CastleFH.ca. A Reception to honour Joan’s Life will be held at Castle Funeral Home on Tuesday,

August 15, 3:30 pm. Joan’s family will speak informally to her life and joys at 4:00 pm during the Reception; friends of Joan will be welcome to share memories. Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

With love and affectionate for Joan, the rock in my life, from her husband Doug