Joan BURGESS

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BURGESS: Joan B. Burgess was born in Edmonton May 6, 1926 to John and Joan Slorance, first generation Scots. Growing up in Bassano, Alberta and Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Joan worked in her beloved Dad’s bakery, along with brother Stan and sister Margaret. Serious health problems in her early teens brought her close to death. But by 1945, Joan Slorance was a healthy, lovely red-haired Highland dancer in the Queens University Pipe Band. Bill Burgess was a lineman on the football team. They married on December 28, 1950. There were five kids in six years. Joan did the lion’s share of child rearing. No doubt there were times she regretted ever taking up Highland dancing. But if she felt overwhelmed, her kids were happily oblivious and they felt like winners of the parental lottery. Joan really came into her own in the 1960s, returning to school to complete her degree. A teaching career that began in Rivers, Manitoba took her to Assiniboine Community College in 1972, where she taught until 1989. Students found she was a wonderful teacher, which was no surprise to her family. To us she was more than a mother and a teacher, she was a constant example of grace and dignity, of open-minded intelligence and common sense, of sharp wit and keen insight, and most of all, unconditional love. Joan passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on March 18, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband Bill, and their children Joe (Coralie), Lynn (Don), Jock (Martha), Leslie (Rolf), and Steve, as well as eight adoring grandchildren. Her last years were blessed by wonderful care and friendship from Trina Koroscil and her Home Care team, and by Donna Hamm and the staff at Caring Companions. A funeral service will be held at Knox United Church, 451-18th Street, on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. David Cathcart officiating, followed by a reception at Brandon University. Joan always hated being the center of attention. In this case she’ll have to accept it. Donations in memory of Joan may be made to Doctors Without Borders Canada, MSF Canada, 402-720 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2T9. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 20, 2009