JOANNE MORGAN MAXWELL

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JOANNE MORGAN MAXWELL It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joanne Morgan Maxwell on February 7, 2018 at the Riverview Palliative Care Unit. (Obituary published on February 17, 2018 ). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Anglican Church, 3830 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg.
Publish Date: Mar 2, 2018

JOANNE MORGAN MAXWELL March 18, 1935 - February 7, 2018 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joanne Morgan Maxwell on February 7, 2018. Joanne is survived by her five children: Claire (Grant Platts), Chris (Donna Maxwell), Gay (John Benns), Susan (Fred Soshycki) and Alison (Nick Diacos), and grandchildren Andrew, Jillian, Duncan, Liza, Holly, Sam, Coco, Owen, Gavin and Jordan. Joanne was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Alan, just over a year ago, and by her parents John and Marion Morgan, twin brother Jim, older brother Jack, and sister Betty. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joanne attended Grosvenor, Robert H. Smith and Kelvin High School. As a girl she loved spending her summers at Lake of the Woods. After high school she sought adventure spending summers working at the Banff Springs Hotel. A car trip around Europe with three friends was newsworthy enough to be featured in the Free Press, a novel excursion for young women in the 1950s. These were the places where she formed friendships that lasted throughout her life including an introduction in Junior High to her future husband Alan. Joanne and Alan were married in 1958 and their family soon followed. Always one for efficiency, Joanne became the mother to twins Chris and Claire. Because a set of toddler twins was not challenge enough, another set of twins, Gay and Susan followed. Years later, a fifth child, Alison, rounded out the bunch and Joanne settled into the life of a busy mother. Raising a family of this size could be a singular purpose, but that was never the case with Joanne. She managed to run a household and carve out time for friends and community. She was an active Junior Leaguer maintaining connections with women she had grown up with. When they outgrew the Junior League, the "Swans" emerged, a circle of dear friends sharing laughter and tears that reflect lifetimes spent together. Joanne's talents in sewing and knitting at times put her in the center of this circle when craft projects were taken on for their charitable pursuits. Joanne had the admirable skill of being able to navigate and be part of many communities. She spent 10 years as a school board trustee, volunteered countless hours to St. Mary's Church and the Ostomy Association, championed neighbourhood watches, not to mention the years devoted to her children's academic and athletic pursuits. She even managed to go back to school to earn a nursing diploma. In recent years she took great joy in teaching inner city school children how to knit. At every stop, new friends would be uncovered, never at the expense of any of the others. As a mother she encouraged a house where the doors were open. She took in sports billets for the weekend, hockey players for a season, and friends for a school year where needed. Maxwell friends were treated like family. The chaos of a full house never phased her, though she did enjoy more quiet moments at her Shoal Lake cottage. At the cottage Joanne enjoyed the peace of her favourite place. There she could get out on the water, enjoy the stars at night and spend time with her children and grandchildren. There was always a book to read, dogs to walk and guests to visit with. Joanne adored her grandchildren and loved to cheer on milestones and achievements. Their activities took top priority on her calendar. She was at tournaments, concerts and graduations regardless of time, distance or temperature. She truly appreciated the variety of their pursuits and loved to learn the details of their interests. Joanne will be remembered for her generous nature and her ability to take on a cause and just get to work. She was never afraid to put pen to paper or pick up the phone when she felt that an injustice needed attention. Her motives for giving to the community were pure. At all stages of her life she served as a great example of what it meant to live with compassion for others and to truly appreciate the joy that is found in time spent with family and friends. Joanne's absence will be felt by many, but most keenly by her children and grandchildren who loved and admired her so much and truly enjoyed her company. The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and nursing students who treated her with such dignity at Riverview Health Centre. The hands-on care of Palliative Care professionals was greatly appreciated. Joanne's cancer journey was brief and her team at Riverview was there to support a family navigating unimaginable grief. Joanne was thankful for this care. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Anglican Church, 3830 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg. If friends desire, donations may be made in Joanne's memory to the Alan and Joanne Maxwell Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation, www.wpgfdn.org/AlanMaxwell, 1350 One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3; or to Camp Stephens c/o YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, 3550 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Z8.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2018