Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Dear Don and extended family of Joan Giggey-Ryder;
On behalf of the executive and membership of Saint John Vocational School Alumni; fellow classmates from 1962 (particularly the Home Ec class) and my self I extend deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences in the loss of your dear wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Caring thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort are with you as you traverse this most difficult path on the road of life.
Cherish the the many memories you have shared together with her and hold them close to your hearts, just as I will. The Lord give you His Peace, surround you with His Love and encourage you with His Presence... and may you each be encouraged and feel our LORD'S assuring Love and Strength during your time of grieving.
I am so pleased we did make contact here in Sussex tho' and renewed our old friendship from 1959 - 1963 once again, but am sorry we lost touch once again during the government lockdowns and just never seemed to reach back when I returned from my son's in Alabama, March of 2020 or when the lockdowns finally ended.
I would often think of her as I would drive by each week but just never got round to calling when I would get home and back to things at home. Following graduation we roomed together on Waterloo St. before she left for Toronto and when I married and moved to Toronto she was in the process of moving back to NB. Life moved on and we once again made touch when I worked at K-Mart east Saint John 1979 -1982 and as you know have had an on-again, off-again friendship as we each moved around and would lose touch but then run into each other once again.
I often think of Joan as I hear the train go by as she said she couldn't get any sleep at our home in Hampton because trains went through all night !! I would chuckle because on Exmouth Street when I would stay at her home and then on Waterloo we would hear the fog horn on Partridge Island and bells from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception across the street on Waterloo, besides the traffic and trains.
May time heal the pain BUT never dull the wonderful memories you have shared with her over 79 years.
Sincerely;
Louise Jonah-Craine
SJVS Alumni Liaison
Fellow class-mate
and friend
