JOAN ELIZABETH MORRIS (CLARKE)

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JOAN ELIZABETH MORRIS (CLARKE) At 11:30 a.m. on March 8, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer, Joan passed away peacefully in Pine Falls Hospital. True to her nature, she waited for her husband, Elstan and her seven children to be close by her side. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 60 years, Elstan, her children: Judy (Roger), Kerry (Shahedah), Jillian (Herb), Roberta (Dale), Kelvin (Annemarie), Daphne (Rick), and Tred (Debra); her sister, Enid Dawe, and her sister-in-law, Jean Morris. She will always be remembered as Super Granny by her grandchildren: Lana (Ken), Dane (Jenn), Reagan (Becky), Glenna (Ryan), Elisa, Tim, Dana (Chelsie), Benson and Nathan and by her great-grandchildren: Natalie, Chloe, Juliana, and Haley. Several nieces and nephews were proud to call her Aunty Joan. The adopted family cat Boots will also miss her. Born in Medicine Hat, AB July 15, 1926 the elder daughter of Humphrey and Violet Clarke, Joan was raised on a farm near Eagle Butte, AB. She was home schooled until high school when she moved to Medicine Hat to attend a boarding school. The family later relocated to Cloverdale, BC where Joan was employed as a telephone operator. It was there she met her life partner, Elstan and following their marriage April 18, 1949 they moved to Strathclair, MB where they raised their family. Joan wore many hats, her most important being a wonderful, loving wife and homemaker. She was a huge support to her husband in all his endeavours. A devoted mother, she was involved in the activities of her children and the community and she was always willing to lend a hand - Baby Band, 4-H leader, figure skating club, WA at St. Lukes Anglican Church, Supply Officer with 317 Air Cadet Squadron. Joan was a master seamstress and every creation, redesign or repair was completed to perfection. Her home was always a hub of activity and the aroma of her freshly baked cinnamon buns lured many a child to her kitchen. Everyone was always welcomed to the family table for a meal. Joan's farm upbringing instilled a love of animals and no stray was ever turned away. In 1970, her passion for sewing and crafts evolved to the ownership of J's Sewing Centre in Strathclair where she operated a successful business for many years serving a large rural clientele. Joan and Elstan relocated to a farm just outside of Strathclair where Joan's enthusiasm for gardening grew and where she enjoyed many hours with her grandchildren. In 1990 they moved to Lake Winnipeg where they oversaw the building of their retirement home. At the lake her vegetable and flower gardens flourished, stray animals continued to seek her out and gatherings with family and friends were frequent. She travelled to many destinations across Canada and to Mexico and Great Britain. The family would like to thank the staff of Pine Falls Hospital for their care and concern for mum over the past months and the Reverend Judy Whitmore and congregation of St. Michaels Community Church for their love and support of mum and dad. A celebration of Joan's life will be held at St. Michaels Community Church, 8th Avenue and Pine Road, Victoria Beach, MB at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of your choice. Peace be with you mum and may your needle and thread continue to weave precious memories of our laughter, love and tears until we meet again...

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2010