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JOAN LESLIE SWAFFER (ROUTLY)
Born: Nov 03, 1948
Date of Passing: Oct 02, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOAN LESLIE SWAFFER (nee ROUTLY) November 3, 1948 October 2, 2018 After a brief illness, Joan passed away quietly in her sleep, with her sister Gay at her side. She leaves behind her husband Gary; daughter Jill Isbister (Chad); son Mark Swaffer; sister Heather Mousseau; sister Gay Stewart (Dwight); brother Lawrence Routly (Sherri) and their families. Joan's strong faith helped her face her death calmly, saying her only regret was that she would not see her adored grandchildren - Peyton, Emery and Lyndon Isbister - grow up. The second child of Bill and Helen Routly, Joan grew up in the rural quietness of Bird's Hill, surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. Following graduation from River East Collegiate, she trained as a laboratory technologist, working at the Winnipeg Clinic for many years. Taking time off to raise her children, she then worked at Miles MacDonnell Collegiate and served as a board member of the River East Transcona Paraprofessional Association. She was a very active member of John Black United Church, serving on the board and several committees. She also volunteered at the Elmwood-Kildonan YMCA for over 20 years teaching swimming and fitness classes. She and Gary were avid members of the Rossmere Country Club for many years, playing golf and curling together. Since she was a young girl, some of Joan's happiest times were summers at the cottage at West Hawk Lake with her family. The family would like to thank the staff at CancerCare Manitoba and Concordia Hospital for their care of Joan over these past few months. We also appreciate her large circle of friends who visited often and provided much comfort. A memorial service will be held at John Black United Church, 898 Henderson Hwy., on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Black United Church Memorial Fund. E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 06, 2018
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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I’m very sorry I didn’t write this sooner and Keith Hal sent a text telling us about the death of one of our friends and he sent along pictures of our reunion about a month before before Joan’s passing and I had been there looking forward to seeing Joan but Keith said was sick And this week I was remembering all fun we had as Classmates and friends! Joan was my lab partner and as you know she was a perfect student and me not so much . I used sure that I was at school in time the arrival of the bus from Birds Hill and she would give me her homework to copy !And as graduation came close Joan decided that I should invite her younger sister to be my date to graduation and I went with Garry to spend some time with Gay and I did invite her and she looked Fabulous and we took my dad’s Mercedes Benz to Graduation but I know that Gay didn’t have a good time because I didn’t know how to dances, but I do now lol And Joan convinced me to go on another date. The four of us us went to the Red River Ex and again I was disappointment because I wouldn’t spend a bunch of money winning a stuff Bear i was no match to Garry’s athletic abilities And I don’t think we saw each other again I’m sad that Gary and Joan have passed so young 😅 - Posted by: Al Burrows (Friend and classmates) on: Jun 02, 2026
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As neighbours, we became friends after both of us recovered post surgery and previous illnesses. She loved her family and friends, husband, children and grandchildren and very much and spoke of them often. Her kind, gentle words uplifted the conversation and she was careful to word everything so as not to hurt or offend. I will miss our conversations, sometimes jovial and other times, deep on the pateo and on the tet-a-tet overlooking the properties. Joan, no more pain or loss and may you get a great big hug from Jesus and dwell in His love continuously! - Posted by: Pam Tait (neighbour ) on: Oct 08, 2018