JOAN CECELIA SPENCER

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• If there is one lesson to learn, never miss an opportunity to look someone up and visit them, give them a call, drop a letter or just text. I knew Joan and Arthur from my early career with Age & Opportunity Senior Centres when they were members in the mid 1980's. I remember clearly the first time Joan came to the St Vital Senior Centre, full of confidence and that "get things done" but done with style and purpose. She was the auctioneer for a fundraising event at the Centre and she brought in the dollars with her wonderful rapport with the crowd. Sandra (my boss at the time) and I were wonderfully impressed by this dynamic and beautiful person. I left Winnipeg in 1990, but still have fond memories of my time there. I still pass through Winnipeg to visit family, and would have loved to had a final cup of tea with Joan and regret having missed that opportunity. With many fond memories and remembering a fine lady, Tomas - Posted by: Tomas (ALLEN) on: Apr 13, 2021

• I've only just now found out about Joan's passing. We worked together for many years at Marks and Spencer. I loved Joan. She was always so cheerful and loving. One thing I remember in particular is the flamboyant way she accessorized her outfits. It was so fitting of her cheery and bubbly personality. While we worked together I considered Joan my "other mother." She was so caring and thoughtful and wise and helped me through more than one difficult time with her warm hugs and soothing words. Joan and I shared Christmas cards every year after Marks and Spencer closed down until a few years ago when she said it was getting too difficult to continue. I've missed those cards telling me what age she'd reached (always with an exclamation mark), letting me know she was still around and going strong. Joan was an angel and the world is a little sadder a place without her in it. Rest in peace Joan. I'll miss you. - Posted by: Katherine Swanston (Friend/co-worker) on: Apr 04, 2021

• Elizabeth, Vici, Janet and Families. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Like my sister always said: Joan was like a second mother to us. She was the pillar of warmth and kindness to all us on Humboldt Ave. - Posted by: Martin Matthews (Neighbor and Friend) on: Dec 30, 2020

• Dear Elizabeth, Vici, Janet and families, I just want to express my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, Joan. I was heartbroken when I heard of her passing. I met Joan at St. Mark's Anglican Church, where in her role as a lay minister, she assisted with the baptism of our youngest daughter, Leah. I took an immediate liking to this warm, engaging, funny, intelligent woman, who despite her age, was truly young at heart. With my parents living in the US, and my husband Frank's parents having passed in 2007, Joan helped fill a void by standing in as "adoring grandparent" at dance recitals, concerts, family birthday parties and holiday dinners. One year, my daughter Leah was having a sleepover birthday party, and Joan dressed up as a fortune teller and presided over a tent of giggly little girls - telling their "fortunes" and giving good life advice. Joan met many members of our family and friends over the years, and everyone adored her. We had a great "virtual" visit with Joan in November, and at that time she seemed in top form - cracking jokes, laughing. I am so thankful we had that opportunity. I admire Joan - for all she endured through her war experience and immigration to a new country at such a young age, her positive attitude, and all she was able to give to so many throughout her life. We will miss her terribly. She was a blessing in our lives, and we were fortunate to call her our friend. Andrea, Frank, Adrienne & Leah Janz - Posted by: Andrea Janz (Friend) on: Dec 22, 2020

• Elizabeth, Vici and Janet: We just had to let you know how very saddened we were to hear of your mom’s passing. Your mum and my husband Dave were the dearest of friends and I dare say she was a cherished friend to me. Joan was responsible for starting up the St. Vital Streamliner Club of Manitoba where I met up with her. She served this club for many years and provided me with valuable advice throughout the years. I truly appreciated her expertise and experience. Yvette Joan was an extremely unique individual who grew up during a time when having resilience was an important aspect of life, and Joan had plenty of it throughout. She was an amazing person who participated in the last war, where she met her husband who was also a soldier. As a war bride she left her beloved England by steamer to start a new life on the Canadian Prairies, where she and her husband raised three girls. As she got older Joan did extensive volunteer work, such as working in the library at Riverview and travelling up north to work with first nations students in the area of public speaking. In recent years she also attended the University of Manitoba and was a lay minister in the Anglican Church. It was up until recently that she planned and conducted a weekly church service for people at the assisted living complex where she lived in St. Vital. Each week she spent hours deciding on the topic of her sermon that would be relevant to the congregation and getting it all down on paper for delivery on Sunday. Almost weekly for the past years, I met with Joan for everything from lively conversation, shopping and to assist her in keeping her life routines such as planting a flower garden each spring and decorating her place for Christmas, Easter, Halloween and so forth. On a personal level, seeing Joan started out as volunteer gift, a giving back of sorts for having my life saved after bypass surgery. But what I came to realize over time was that she was actually the most wonderful gift to me that came into my life at exactly the time I needed her as a friend. She had a positive influence on my life. I will think of her always and am thankful for having had the opportunity to know her and count her among my closest friends. She has left us with many wonderful memories. These will be forever cherished in our hearts. Dave Our Deepest sympathies, Dave and Yvette - Posted by: Dave and Yvette Brault Reede (Amazing Friend) on: Dec 21, 2020

• Joan and I were best friends for more than 60 years. We shared glad times and sad times. We loved to travel and visited many countries in Europe, our favourite of course being England, our native land. Shopping trips to the US and many day trips in Manitoba. We shared activities, word weavers, streamliners, movies and books, to name a few. On one of our trips to southern England, we stayed at a fancy hotel by the sea. We stood gazing out at the water and we both agreed that when we were old we would like to live that easy life, and that we did by coming to Dakota House. We both agreed that it was the greatest place to live. I have the best of memories of Joan and will miss her terribly. Irene Marsh - Posted by: Irene Marsh ( BFF ) on: Dec 18, 2020

• Condolences to Joan's family. What a wonderful lady,she was responsible for starting St.Vital Streamliners. When she came to meetings it was like having royalty come. Always had humour and something wonderful to say. Thanks to Yvette and Dave who were a big help for her in her later years. Joan you will be missed very much by so many who you helped with your good advice. Beverley Bettens - Posted by: Beverley Bettens (Friend) on: Dec 16, 2020

• Our sympathy to Joan’s family on the passing of a dear and wonderful lady. We were neighbours at Tree Top Village and developed a warm friendship. Joan was a wise woman, with a great sense of humour, very charming and witty. She shared her many talents through all her encounters. She loved getting dressed up as the Queen! We will treasure our memories, and toast her with sherry or gin and tonic! To a life we’ll lived. - Posted by: Claudette & Don Adamek (Friends) on: Dec 15, 2020

• What a kind wonderful person. The first Sunday of the month, she would organize the Anglican church service at Dakota House. If I was lucky enough to be working I would help her set up and while I did the "heavy lifting" Joan would have her coffee and offer me her pastoral advice.She would always ask about my son and reminisce about her kids and her life back in the day. I soon realised that this was a woman who had lived, seen and accomplished alot in 96 years. I will miss our Sunday talks Joan but I will never forget. Rest peacefully my friend. - Posted by: Sheila Selluski (Front Desk at Dakota House) on: Dec 14, 2020

• I knew Joan from her many years and contributions to St. Mark's. I miss her sitting behind us sharing her wit & strong opinions. She was always kind & generous to me & my grandson. She always presided like the queen over our Christmas teas at St Marks & we all miss her presence. Thank you for sharing your mom with us. - Posted by: Karen GENTHON (friend) on: Dec 13, 2020

• I send my condolences to your family on the passing of Joan Spencer. She was truly a wonderful lady. We shared many laughs together and enjoyed playing hangman in the final weeks of her life. Joan is missed dearly and I will always remember her. May she rest in peace. <3 - Posted by: Desiree Neault (Therapeutic Recreation at St Norbert PCH) on: Dec 12, 2020

• My deepest sympathy to your family on the passing of your dear mother, grandmother Joan Spencer. I knew her from St. Vital Streamliners and she helped me with giving speeches by introducing me to Toastmasters. I will truly miss you My Friend. - Posted by: Vergie Regent (Friend ) on: Dec 12, 2020

• She was a wonderful person. My Grandparents met her at Lacklu many years ago and stayed friends. She was my grandmas confidant when she moved into Dakota house after my grandpa had passed away. I was fortunate to see her again at St Norbert when I worked there as a Recreation Facilitator and enjoyed talking with her every day. I missed her when I left and I will always remember her voice, attitude and words of wisdom. She will be very missed - Posted by: Kim Gunson (Worker at St Norbert/ Grand Daughter of Friends Kay and Doug Bradley) on: Dec 12, 2020