Joan MacLean – Memorial

The stream of the ceremony is available at the YouTube video below

The ceremony took place at Vancouver Unitarians at 10am on July 11, followed by a reception at 11am in the church hall.

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After years of ailing health, Joan MacLean died peacefully with dignity at age 81, surrounded by loved ones in Vancouver, BC, on May 20, 2025. Joan graduated from Glebe Collegiate Institute, Queen’s University, Carleton University and Concordia University. As well, she attended numerous language schools internationally; she loved learning! She was a secondary school teacher in Etobicoke and Ottawa, a social worker in Ottawa, a social services administrator in Montreal, a lecturer in the business schools of Instituto Technólogico Autónomo de Mexico and Simon Fraser University and a professor of business at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her students described her as an exemplary educator with much to give. Joan fondly remembered her years living in Mexico with her husband, Arnold, and the addition to their household of their beloved Mexican dogs, Jack and Sparkling.

Known for her caring nature and devotion to family and friends, Joan was loved by many. She was predeceased by her parents, F/O Roderick MacLean, RCAF and his wife, Margaret (nee Davis) MacLean; her husband, Arnold Dagenais; her siblings, Duncan and Catherine MacLean. Joan is mourned by her brother, Brian MacLean (Deborah Gibson); nephew, Duncan Gibson MacLean (Jenna McClure); nieces, Brilee Gibson MacLean and Lisa Tubbs MacLean; great-nieces, Jenevieve Garcia and Abigail McClure MacLean; cousin, Jock MacLean; the Owen Sound MacLeans; the Nova Scotia J.D. Tilley MacLeans; step-children, Diane Dagenais (Mike Ilsley), Eric Dagenais and Michael Dagenais; step-grandchildren, Sara Schroeter (Abinyah Walker), Nicole Dagenais, Monique Dagenais (Brandon De Bruyn) and Lauren Dagenais; step-great-grandchildren, Leila Schroeter-Walker and Marcus Schroeter-Walker, as well as cherished friends across the country and in Mexico. Joan was thankful to the staff and residents at Shannon Oaks Retirement Community and the Royal Ascot Care Centre for their warmth and care. She was grateful for the compassion of healthcare providers and the MAID team at Vancouver Coastal Health. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver on July 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. An inurnment ceremony will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa on August 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to local health authorities.