Mrs. Margaret “Joan” Richards (nee Inkster) passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Alberta, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at the age of 78 years. Joan was born the second of three children in North Vancouver, British Columbia, to parents Mamie and Gib Inkster, on February 10, 1944. Joan met the love of her life and her best friend, Richard “Dick” Richards and they were married on October 8, 1966. They had two daughters, Karen and Debbie. Being a military family, they lived throughout Canada, meeting many wonderful friends along the way. Joan was a woman of many talents. She was a Girl Guide leader for many years and was also a playschool teacher for a time. She had many hobbies including ceramics, macrame, scrapbooking, gardening and cake decorating. Joan always made the cake for everyone’s birthdays and would often make cakes for other family and friends as well. Despite having an extensive number of hobbies, there was one that could be better classified as her passion. For over thirty years, Joan and Dick devoted much of their time to researching genealogy. Together, they travelled to many places across Canada, USA, and the United Kingdom, in search of relatives. When Joan did find relatives, she was sure to keep in close contact with each of them, much like she did with the rest of her family and friends. Joan was a rare gem. Those who had the pleasure of knowing her knew how caring and genuine she was to those around her. She never failed to find the good in other people, and her love and devotion to being a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend was apparent to all. Joan’s love was selfless, and she was known to put others before herself. She was loved by all who knew her. Joan will be lovingly remembered by her husband of fifty-five years, Dick, her daughters, Karen (James) and Debbie (Steve), her grandchildren, Brittany (Chase), Tyler (Sarah), Nicholas (Natalie), and Michelle (Payton), her great granddaughter, Everly, her brother, Brian (Pam), and Barbara, whom Joan lovingly thought of as her sister. Joan will also be lovingly remembered by numerous friends and extended family members. Joan was predeceased by her great grandson, Kaden, her brother, Dennis, and both of her parents. A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Joan’s honor may be made directly to any of the numerous causes she supported, including the Alberta SPCA at www.albertaspca.org, the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca, and Alzheimer’s Society at www.alzheimer.ca, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040