Obituary of Joan Safarian

Joan Elizabeth Safarian 1921-2014 Joan passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto at the age of 92. Beloved wife of 64 years to Edward Safarian. Devoted mother of Mark (deceased), David (Kim), Laura (Cam) and Paul (Jay) and proud and loving grandmother of Beth, Kate, Nigel, Patience, Sami, Daijhanna and Jacob. She will also be remembered lovingly by her sister Mary, her niece Libbi and family, her sister-in-law Leola and family and her nephew Bob and family. Joan was born on November 25, 1921 to Leslie and Clarence Shivvers in Seattle, Washington and grew-up in California and Phoenix, Arizona. Joan graduated from the University of Arizona and then worked for the Red Cross in military hospitals during the Second World War. She later took a Master of Social Work degree at the University of California. She married Ed Safarian in 1950 then moved with him to Ottawa in 1950 and became a Canadian citizen. While in Ottawa, she worked for the Children's Aid Society and taught at St. Patrick's College. Joan and Ed lived in Saskatoon from 1957 to 1966 and then moved to Toronto. For a time she focused on family, then returned to social work, first at the Toronto Family Court, then at Mount Sinai Hospital. Joan was a warm-hearted and gracious person who made deep and long-lasting friendships and loved the outdoors. She was devoted to the PEO sisterhood. She and Ed participated actively in the cultural life of the cities in which they lived. She participated with Ed in many events at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto and had just returned from a month long visit to Armenia and France. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Tuesday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. for a memorial service, followed by a reception. As an expression of sympathy, the family would appreciate remembrances be sent to the Scholarship Committee of the PEO Sisterhood of Toronto or to the Red Cross. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.