Obituary of Joan Elizabeth Fralic

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The family and friends of Joan Elizabeth Fralic celebrate the life and mourn the death of this wonderful woman, who died peacefully at age 77 on January 21, 2025, at Nashwaak Villa in Stanley, New Brunswick.

Joan was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Bessie and Lloyd Frellick on January 4, 1948. She grew up in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and graduated from Liverpool High School in 1966. In her youth, she was an avid tennis player and golfer, played on her high-school basketball team, loved her dog Tippie, and was a massive Elvis fan. After marrying her high-school sweetheart Richard, she worked with people with physical and intellectual disabilities in Halifax and Fredericton. While raising her two sons, she ran a home daycare for over a decade. Afterward, she earned an Accounting Certificate from the University of New Brunswick with straight As. She then worked at the Canadian Red Cross for 25 years, running the seniors’ equipment loans service and working closely with hospital occupational therapists. In retirement, she returned to working with children, volunteering in an elementary-school literacy program.

Joan, Richard, and their sons enjoyed summer vacations in southern Nova Scotia, camping and going to the beach. Later, this tradition continued with her grandchildren Jacob and Ella. Joan and Richard also loved playing sports and doing outdoor activities together, and could often be found on ski and bike trails, tennis courts, and golf courses. Joan also played basketball, ringette, and softball, and rode horses, went to the gym, and line danced. She was a lifelong member of the United Church Of Canada. She attended Nashwaaksis United Church for as long as she was able, and was a member of United Church Women. She enjoyed her book club, whose members supported her even when she was no longer able to fully participate. Sociable by nature, she loved spending time with all her friends, and was blessed with a few special lifelong friendships that she cherished.

In 2017, she was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration, a rare form of dementia. Her life from that point was a struggle, through which she persevered bravely and lived at home, supported tirelessly by her devoted husband and a team of dedicated care workers.

Joan was a kind, generous, community-minded person who seemed to know everyone and could talk to anyone. She was devoted to her family and well loved by all in her community.

Joan is survived by her husband, Richard Fralic, of Fredericton, NB; her brother John and sister-in-law Gail Frellick of Riverview, NB; her mother-in-law Jean Fralic of Liverpool, NS; her son Gregory, daughter-in-law Theresa, and grandchildren Jacob and Ella Fralic of Heidelberg, ON; and her son Michael, daughter-in-law Susan Thompson, and grandchild Samuel Fralic of Fredericton, NB, along with several well-loved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Bessie and Lloyd Frellick, and her infant brother, Ronald Frellick.

A celebration-of-life service will be held at Nashwaaksis United Church on Saturday, January 25, at 1:00 p.m., with Reverend Brian DeLong officiating. A reception will follow, also at the church. Clink the link at the top of the obituary to view the live service. York Funeral Home will be handling the service arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.