PREST, Jo-Ann Hardy Prest

After a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s, Jo-Ann passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025.  Jo-Ann was a friend, stepmother, grandmother and great grandmother and was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, her stepsister Margaret, her stepbrother William and her beloved husband Douglas Prest.  Jo-Ann is survived by four stepdaughters Nancy Prest McNeil (Brad), Carol Prest (Ian Bailey), Susan Prest Chorney (Kevin) and Tracy Prest Malone (David), twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and her brother David Yarmish.

Jo-Ann was born December 22, 1941 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.  Her parents Winnifred Louise Jenner (Skellet) and William Hardy Jenner divorced on his return from WWII in 1944.  Jo-Ann and her family moved to Gibsons BC when her mother married Joseph Yarmish.  When Jo-Ann was ten, her siblings Margaret and William contracted polio and the family returned to Vancouver for their medical care.  The family struggled in poverty during this time and Jo-Ann always remembered the kindnesses of the charities that came to the aid of her family and remained a lifelong supporter of the Salvation Army as well as other charities.

Jo-Ann graduated from the commercial program from John Oliver High School and started her business career in 1959 at the Bank of Montreal and, over time, moved to the Vancouver Divisional Office.  Jo-Ann married Robert Gary McDonald in 1963, divorced in 1968.  In 1972 Jo-Ann joined Revenue Canada and transferred to the Victoria office in 1980.  Jo-Ann considered the highlights of her 42 year career to be the years she spent as Revenue Canda’s Training Coordinator, United Way Coordinator and her years as Innovation and Excellence Coordinator.  She was able to raise $6,000 by shaving her head for the Victoria Hospice Rooftop Garden in memory of her sister Margaret who died in hospice.

Jo-Ann’s outgoing personality and positive outlook on life, along with her infectious laughter, made her a joy to be around.  In 1957 Jo-Ann’s Junior Achievement business counsellor was Doug Prest, a newly married banker.  Jo-Ann and Doug met again after Doug returned from Sacramento as a widower with 4 small daughters.  Jo-Ann and Doug married in 1980 and enjoyed twenty-seven years of marriage, friendship and laughter.  Doug and Jo-Ann traveled extensively during Doug’s twelve years as Director for BCAA, making many lifelong friends at annual conventions held across Canada and the US.  When Doug died in July 2008, Jo-Ann grieved over the loss of Doug’s unconditional love and laughter they shared.

Over time, Jo-Ann felt herself blessed with many friends who loved to go for lunch, touring many of the restaurants on the lower island.  Jo-Ann was a regular at White Spot, the Union Club and Uplands Golf Club and considered many of the servers as her friends.  In 2009, Jo-Ann joined MedEx Fitness which provided her with another circle of friends and even more laughter. Jo-Ann considered her greatest blessings to be Doug’s four daughters, her sons-in-law, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Norman and Elaine Prest and their family, Vi and Michael Sumner, George Gomerich, Dorothy and Fred Dunlop and their families.  Jo-Ann enjoyed life to the fullest and will be dearly missed.

No service at Jo-Ann’s request.  Flowers gratefully declined.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jo-Ann’s memory to the Salvation Army.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com