Joan J. (James) Kendall

Joan James Kendall, 95, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on January 15, 2017. Born in Falmouth, England, in 1921, Joan was the first child of Eben James I and Jeanie James. Joan grew up in Trenton, Ontario, with siblings Margot, Snook (Eben James II) and Babe (Mawnen Fraser). Joan was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Babe and Margot, and David, her loving husband.
Joan is survived by her four children, Jeanie Young, Deborah Kendall-Gallagher, Vaughan and Elizabeth; six grandchildren, Frank, David, Hunter, Margot, Katherine (Katie) and Colin; six great-grandchildren, Frank Hawke, John Bodie, Eben River, Peter Ontario, Vaughan Forrest, and Hunter Keenan; nieces Heather Livesley-James and Melanie James; and nephews Kevin James and Eben James III.
Joan never missed an opportunity to engage in the joy life had to offer. Joan was a bright and engaged student, graduating from Trenton High School at the age of 15 and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on business and economics from McGill University at the age of 18. During World War II Joan worked in war assets. Soon after the war ended, Joan met the love of her life, David Leslie Kendall, an American, in Montreal. Joan and David were married on May 8, 1948 at St. George's Anglican Church in Trenton; their journey together over the next 65 years took them to Burlington, Vermont for David's medical school and then on to New Mexico for completion of David's surgical residency, eventually settling in Farmington, New Mexico where they raised their family.
Joan's optimism, passion for life, love of family, and faith in the Almighty were ever-present, whether helping David to build his practice, teaching Sunday school, creating a beautiful garden, skiing down a mountain, making a long fairway shot or giving to others. One could not help being drawn to Joan's charismatic personality; Joan had an inherent ability to excel in whatever she set out to do.
Joan considered Trenton her home away from home returning each summer with her family to the Jeanie James family cottage at the Lake. Joan loved to sit at the dock, particularly with David, gazing out at Presqu'ile Point, thanking God for all of life's blessings.
Joan will be buried in St. George's Cemetery in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. A memorial service for Joan will be held at a later date at St. John's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 312 North Orchard Ave., Farmington, NM 87401.
Joan's arrangements are with Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East UIte St., Farmington, (505) 325-8688