JOYCE MARIE GLENDINNING (THORDARSON)

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JOYCE MARIE GLENDINNING (THORDARSON) March 29, 1932 - November 8, 2009 On Sunday, November 8, 2009, our beautiful and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and mother-in-law, Joyce Marie (Jo), left us. Jo was born in Hartney, Manitoba, and grew up in Brandon. She attended Brandon College and received her BA in 1953. She excelled in sports, especially track and field, which earned her the Athlete of the Year award in her graduating year. In 1955, she earned a Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Manitoba. In 1957, while working as a social worker, she met and married Bob, who would be her love and soul-mate for 52 years. Together they raised five children: Lisa (Randy), Sigrid (Raymond), Lesley (Will), Signy (Mike) and Chris. Jo adored her 14 beautiful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. When their children were grown, Jo's passion for literature, the arts and ideas led her naturally to a second career at McNally Robinson Booksellers, where she met many people and formed lasting friendships. Jo contributed to her community in many ways, as a member of the Aboriginal Friendship Committee at Fort Garry United Church, PEO, Grands and More (AIDS, Africa), Habitat for Humanity, as a school reading tutor, and a member of other social and political action groups. She was an avid reader, a lifelong learner and was always ready to try something new. She was an inveterate member of a French Conversation class, where, as in all her activities, she formed wonderful friendships. She loved music of all genres, but most of all loved playing the piano to Bob's clarinet. Her latest musical adventure was playing the African djembe drum. A celebration of Jo's life will be held at Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road, Winnipeg, on Friday, November 13, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. Our family thanks the caring and compassionate staff at 3E, Palliative Care Unit, Riverview Health Centre and Manitoba Home Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rossbrook House, 658 Ross Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3M 0M1 (www.rossbrookhouse.ca). Thomson In the ParK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2009