October 23, 1919- June 26, 2015
Isabel Joan Gilfillan Bunting peacefully passed away at the Evergreen Seniors’ Home on Friday June 26, 2015. Joan was a dedicated teacher who was proud to be a Canadian of Scottish decent.
Joan Bunting was born to William and Isabella Bunting in Fort Fraser on October 23, 1919. Upon completion of secondary school, she attended Normal School in Vancouver. Then, Joan returned to Fort Fraser to teach in a one room school. After teaching in Fort Fraser for one year, Joan attended the University of British Columbia receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree after which she taught at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Surrey. In 1964, Joan returned to UBC to complete a Masters Degree.
In 1953, Joan moved to Campbell River to teach at the Campbell River High School (Carihi). Ms. Bunting was one of the founding staff members of the new Campbell River Senior Secondary School in September, 1965.
Joan was an inspiring teacher and is fondly remembered by her students. She was best known for “The Recipe- How to Write an Essay” for which students were forever thankful, particularly when they faced higher education. Joan retired in June 1980, and continued to live in Campbell River until her passing.
Joan was predeceased by her parents, William and Isabella Bunting, her sister, Margaret Hagemoen, her brother, David Bunting, and her nephews, Stephen Hagemoen, and Ian Hagemoen. Joan is survived by her sister Allison Wiebe, her nephew, Eric Hagemoen and his wife Myria, nieces, Mary Hagemoen and Patricia Hagemoen and their respective beloved and cherished families.
Joan’s “Celebration of Life” will be held at the Campbell River United Church, 415 Pincrest St., on July 4, 2015 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the “Joan Bunting Scholarship” in care of School District 72, (Campbell River), 425 Pinecrest Road, Campbell River, BC.
As a proud Canadian of Scottish heritage, Joan always said, “A Scotsman’s word is his bond”.