JOAN MCMURDO WHISTON

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JOAN MCMURDO WHISTON (nee SINCLAIR) It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our mother and grandmother, Joan McMurdo Whiston on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at the age of 79 years. Surviving Joan, a cherished mother and grandmother, is her son Iain (Amanda); daughter Linda (Delbert); grandchildren Silas, Joshua, Cale, Amelia, and many relatives and friends in Scotland and Toronto. She will also be sadly missed by her special friends, Lynda Ann, Jim and Harry whom she deeply cared about. The only child of William Fox Sinclair and Marion Hiddelston (Robbie), Joan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 27, 1937. She immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1955, crossing the Atlantic on the Empress of Scotland. Joan made her way across the country by train and arrived in Flin Flon, Manitoba to employment with the Hudson Bay Company. She later transferred to Winnipeg where, on a blind date, she met her predeceased, beloved husband William Arthur Whiston. Joan pursued a career in the legal profession as a court reporter/stenographer and later as an office manager and research assistant. Her experience and avid interest in history and research led Joan to become involved with the Manitoba Bar Association, the Air Force Association 500 Wing, the Genealogy Society of Manitoba (past president), and the History and Heritage division of #1 Air Command. Joan was intensely interested in family history and thoroughly enjoyed helping others with their genealogy research. She also was able to fulfill her passion for family and history by travelling home to Scotland several times with her husband and children. Joan enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, needlepoint and crochet, and thrived on making things to wear for family and friends, putting a smile on many faces and warmth in many hearts. In compliance with Joan's wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Grace Hospital who cared so lovingly for Joan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan's name to the Genealogy Society of Manitoba, 1045 St. James Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 0K6. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2016