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JOAN CAROLE GORDON
Date of Passing: Jan 18, 2016
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOAN CAROLE GORDON It is with great sorrow that the family of Joan Gordon (nee Bercovitch) announce her passing on January 18, 2016, one week shy of her 84th birthday. Left to cherish her memory are sons George (Timothy), Jack of Toronto, daughter Anna of Winnipeg, sister Jean Shnier of Montreal, the father of her children Walter Saltzberg, and nieces Myrna Shnier, Patrisha Mclean, Penny Stern and their families. Family was very important to Joan and she was very devoted to her extended family of cousins who she loved dearly. Joan was predeceased by her parents Sophie (Harry) Marder and Issac Bercovitch. Joan will also be dearly missed by her closest friend Esther Gotfried and many other friends who were devoted to her until her final days. Joan was a very unique, kind, gentle and loving soul with a heart of gold. She felt deeply for those who suffered and would generously give of herself to help build them up. She made everyone that she met feel valued and special especially with her personalized handwritten and typed notes and letters. Joan was passionate about the arts but writing was her greatest passion of all. She published many articles, children's stories and poetry in books, journals and newspapers. Joan's poetry was recently published into a book with the help of her niece Patrisha giving Joan an immense feeling of pride and joy. Joan loved to share her gift of writing and helped so many students and adults by tutoring and encouraging them. In her later years Joan became a member of Toastmasters and received many accolades and awards including Toastmaster of the Year from her local chapter. Joan taught her children and others that it was okay to be different in a world that encourages conformity. She believed that everyone should have a passion for something in this world and to feel it with every fibre of their being. She taught the true meaning of kindness and generosity and also to love unconditionally and with intensity. Her children are very grateful to their cousins Gail Fine, Lois Oferman, Maxine Zabenskie, and Esther Hershfield who visited Mom often and always included her in family holiday celebrations. They are also grateful to their friend Karen Vickar who was devoted to and like a daughter to their mother and hosted the shiva at her home. The family want to thank Joan's companions, Evelyn and Ann for their loving care over the past few years. They are also very grateful to the staff of the entire Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre and especially all who work and have worked on Simkin 1 for the exceptional and loving care they gave their mother. Funeral services took place at Etz Chayim Synagogue on January 20, 2016 with interment at Rosh Pina Cemetery. Pallbearers were Karen Vickar, Brent Vickar, Ted Katz, Jonathan Fine, Zev Rumstein and Ron East. Donations in Joan's memory can be made to Manitoba Schizophrenia Society or the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Publish Date: Jan 23, 2016
JOAN CAROLE GORDON Joan Carole Gordon, 83, of Winnipeg, beloved mother of George (Timothy Swift), Jack and Anna Saltzberg. Funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Etz Chaim Congregation, 123 Matheson Avenue East with interment at Rosh Pina Cemetery. Meal of Consolation to follow burial at Etz Chayim. Longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Jan 19, 2016
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 23, 2016
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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My tribute to Joan was her huge heart and how she cared so much about helping me to write some pieces in an anthology and her extreme interest in how I wrote. She acted as an editor as well as a friend to me in her later years and by knowing her I met her wonderful son George who is as kind as she was. I owe her everything for my writing and was so happy to be her friend and continue to be George’s as well. I knew her through my Auntie Belle and Uncle Sam Rosner who were my Dad’s family. If I could have thanked the Lord for anything it would have been for letting me know Joan, George, and her family. Always remembered and sadly missed. Joan Rosner and son Stephen. - Posted by: Joan Rosner (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2019
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Dear Jack, George and Anna, Richard and I would like to express our condolences on the passing of your mom. She was truly an exceptional person and wonderful friend. She was so very loving, encouraging, and uplifting. She would make you feel so special!!! She was giving and asked for nothing in return. She was so appreciative of the smallest kindness bestowed on her. I have a lot to learn from her. I will so miss her and the concern and love she bestowed on us!! I already do miss her and mourn for her. We know this is a very difficult time for you. Loss, especially a mom is very painful. May God grant you His peace and comfort as no human can. May you feel His presence surround you. One day, I expect to see Joan again and walk the Golden streets of Heaven with her. What a glorious time that will be and it will last forever!!! In Deepest Sympathy Richard and Ursula Ditchburn - Posted by: Ursula Schndel Ditchburn (Friend) on: Jan 29, 2016
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Your obituary is very well written and a true reflection of the Joan we knew. We became, like many others very good friends with Joan and her good friend Les Staats. We would spend many good times together for dinners, folklorama, Toastmasters, Stomping Tom, and other times just chatting. Joan was an amazing mentor for me for both written critiques, as well as life events. She was always good for providing advice and bolstering one's self esteem. She had a charisma and life force. She did indeed love to meet and greet people. And lived and breathed Toastmasters. Our lives brought us to the North and thus lost contact for a few years. And I always thought about her with fondness and concern for her health. Cathy and I want to state our condolences to her family and friends. There will be no other Joan Gordon. She was a positive influence in our lives and we will miss her. Her memory will live on. Glen King and Cathy Luptak - Posted by: Glenn King and Cathy (Friend and Toastmaster) on: Jan 27, 2016
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I was so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. I met Joan through toastmasters, and I always appreciated her enthusiasm for life, and the kind way she mentored new members. She never criticized but gave advice and encouragement in a way that always made you feel accepted. She will be missed greatly that I am sure of. - Posted by: Doug Marks (Met through Toastmasters) on: Jan 25, 2016
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I met Joan years ago through shopping garage sales in the North/East Kildonan area. She approached me at a garage sale and asked for a ride to the next one. She was always looking for books for the children. She always dressed immaculately with every curly/wavy hair in place. She was a ray of sunshine walking everywhere around the neighbourhood. Sorry for your loss! - Posted by: Lynne (shopper) on: Jan 24, 2016
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I am so sorry to about the passing of Joan Gordon. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family. Joan had kind word for anyone she met. I remember getting many personal notes from Joan. She had a fantastic knowledge of the english language and strove to share that knowledge. Rest in piece friend. - Posted by: Alfred Kerperin (we met through Toastmasters) on: Jan 21, 2016
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I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Gordon was our tutor for English and she was such a kind and smart lady. My deepest sympathy to all of you. - Posted by: Lisa Monk (Grew up in the same neighborhood) on: Jan 21, 2016
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Joan was always a very kind encouraging person. She encouraged everyone. Joan and my dad were were the best of friends and they adored each other. The words that Joan used to describe dad were so sweet that had dad had diabetes he would have had a real problem. However dad loved her accolades and the two of them were in spite of there age like two teenagers thrilled with life. Also both were over whelmed at advancing and encouraging everyone to get involved with Toastmasters and the training plus friendships - Posted by: Ron Staats (son of Lester Staats) on: Jan 19, 2016
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Joan and I shared our love for poetry. I had just written my first yarn and my wife Mary took a copy for Joan to read. She was so supportive and encouraging with her positive feedback while also pointing out areas that could be improved. Joan enriched my life and I am humbled that she thought of me as a friend. Farewell Joan ...... may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest (Shakespeare) - Posted by: Gordon McKee (I met Joan through my wife's Toastmaster's Club) on: Jan 19, 2016