Joan Kathleen Rivard passed peacefully on February 13, 2026 in Daysland, Alberta at the age of 79. Joan was born in Camrose, daughter of Violet and Edwin Thompson. 

In 1961 as a teenager, she was one of the few girls to become one of the first “Car Hops” at the new A&W in Camrose.  She got married and had two sons, Greg and Darren. In 1970 she returned to Camrose and opened the Camrose Flower Shop in 1971.  In 1974, she married Ron Rivard and in 1990 they moved to Fort McMurray.  Together they started Rivard Powerline and in 2004, retired to Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

After thirty years, they moved back to Camrose where Joan was able to be reacquainted with old relatives and friends. She loved being an entrepreneur most of her life, spending time with her grandchildren, boating and living on the lake.  She loved working with flowers, landscaping, road trips, motorcycle rides, going to Vegas, camping, the Princess Cruises and sharing a vodka pepsi with many special people over the years.  She will be deeply missed.

Joan is survived by her husband Ron, her sons Greg and Darren, three grandchildren and one great-grandson and her sister Darlene.  She is predeceased by her parents Edwin and Violet and her brothers Lloyd and Denis.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations to STARS or a charity of one’s choice.