3 May 1932 - 29 September 2025

I had the privilege of assisting Sister Joan over a period of 15 years. I was one of many volunteers drawn to her kind soul and her desire to help others.

Sister Joan spent 25 years in the Klong Toey slums in Bangkok assisting the underprivileged. Through programs like the Milk Run and the Rice Run, she changed lives.

At the core of Sister's mission was education. Helping children by buying school uniforms, paying transport costs so they could get to school and providing money so they could buy something to eat. Sister ensured that these children could become educated and have better lives. Helping people break free of the poverty cycle she used to say. How right she was.

But her mission work went much further. From providing milk formula to babies, to helping with cost-of-living issues for Klong Toey residents to ferrying the elderly to hospital, Sister Joan never seemed to stop. Taking her for her favourite meal of lamb chops was a good way to ensure a bit of a break for her. Many of her other supporters also looked after Sister in different ways. She felt much loved by her community and her supporters.

Sister Joan worked with steely determination but was modest about her achievements. In 2018, Sister was made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the international community of Thailand through humanitarian assistance programs for the disadvantaged, and to improving the lives of women, children and the elderly.

Rest in Peace, Sister Joan. You will be missed.

October 2025

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