JOAN ANN MCCLAY (GAUNT)

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JOAN ANN MCCLAY (nee GAUNT) March 2, 1931 - October 31, 2011 It is with great sadness that the family of Joan McClay announces her sudden passing at the age of 80. Joan will be greatly missed by her husband, John McClay and her children, John Kellett, Laurie Spencer and Pam Kellett; her grandchildren Steven, Stanley and Shaun Spencer, Shari Silvio, Lauren, Hayley and Michael Kellett; her great-grandchildren; brother Chuck Gaunt; sister Ruth King and her grandhorse all of whom she loved dearly. The loss of Joan leaves a huge hole in the lives of so many. People gravitated to her. She was Queen of the May, Belle of the Ball...she was The Top . Born in Winnipeg, Joan attended Norwood Collegiate, graduating in 1948. She has remained lifelong friends with many classmates. She lived most of her life in Winnipeg, marrying and raising three children. In 1979, she married John McClay and lived for several years in St. Vital. They owned Appin Antiques. Joan and John moved to Gimli in 1995 where they made wonderful friends too numerous to count. She loved Gimli and her friends there. Joan was active and involved in the Gimli community. She was a tireless volunteer and gave her time to many causes, the one closest to her heart being the Action Club for developmentally challenged people. She felt life was all about love and she lived and breathed that sentiment. Joan was like a glass of fine champagne. She was effervescent, bubbly and simply sparkling. She loved to laugh, sing and dance and live life to the fullest. In her 60s Joan truly discovered her creative self and blossomed into the amazing woman we all love. She felt the most important things in life were Family, Friends and Music and she embraced all three. She had the uncanny ability to make and keep friends, make people comfortable and at ease and be open to new experiences. She cherished her family and let them know how much they meant to her. She truly had a song in her heart. Music was at her core. When spending time with friends or family something would trigger a musical memory and they would break into song. Her memory for lyrics was incredible. If anyone wanted the words to a song they only had to call Joan. On her 80th birthday she sang Crazy at a piano bar in Santa Fe and got a standing ovation. She was a star. Joan had a distinct sense of style and was easily recognized by her signature colour of lime green. Mom, Joan, Nana Joan - you're in our hearts forever. So, come on chicken grab a wing and let's go swing on a star. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. at New Horizons Activity Centre. 17 N. Colonization Road, Gimli. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the Action Club (Heina-er-best) c/o the Gimli Kiwanis Club. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2011