JOAN EILEEN LYNEN

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JOAN EILEEN LYNEN

March 1, 1935 - May 8, 2023

It is with sadness but gratitude for a long life that we announce the peaceful passing of Joan Eileen Lynen, at 88 years of age, on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Hospice Quinte in Belleville, Ontario.

Joan was born on March 1, 1935, in Winnipeg. She was the eldest child to René Comeau and Dorothy Eileen Harrison; and sister to Richard and Elizabeth. Some of her happiest memories were times spent with grandparents, Percy and Sarah Harrison, at their apartment at the corner of River and Osborne in Winnipeg, and visits to the Comeau-Lavallée dairy farm in La Salle. Following the war, she and her family relocated from Dauphin, Manitoba, to Montreal, where she met her first husband, William "Bill" Ekdahl, and welcomed her daughters, Linda, Susan and Karen. After relocating to The Beaches in Toronto, and then to Markham with her second husband, Uwe Lynen, Joan welcomed her daughter, Catherine.

Joan's professional career started in Montreal, counting pay phone coins for Bell Canada. She then worked in personnel placement for Marie Selick Associates, before rejoining Bell in Toronto. There, she rose through the ranks to serve as a telecommunications and data sales representative. Her excellence in client service and sales was recognized with the President's Club Award.

Joan continued to stay active in retirement, working at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and as an elections officer. She was interested in politics and current events, rock 'n roll music, football, hockey (Go Habs!) and her church. She was also a keen genealogist and researched the Comeau and Harrison family histories extensively. Joan liked to travel, visiting Hawaii, Europe, Cuba and the Caribbean, and especially Old Orchard Beach, Maine, which was the site of many memorable family vacations. She enjoyed gardening, reading and baking, and was fond of animals from a very young age. More than anything, Joan loved spending time with family and friends, as they did with her. She was a force, independent and opinionated, determined, loving and loyal, and as beautiful as she was strong; she was our matriarch.

Joan will be sadly missed by her daughters, Linda Ekdahl, Susan Ekdahl (Neil Coligan), Karen Ekdahl (Andy Currie) and Catherine Dujay (John); her grandchildren, Elizabeth Locke (Brian McGirr), Steven Locke, Nicholas Dujay (Pirave), Alexander Dujay and Christopher Dujay; her great-granddaughters, Aria and Mira Dujay; her sister, Elizabeth Stuart; her sister-in-law, Monique Simard; her nieces and nephews, cousins, and their families. Joan will be remembered fondly by many lifelong friends, including former colleagues and neighbours, whose friendships she treasured.

Special thanks to the care staff at Hospice Quinte for providing her and our family comfort and support during her final days.

A funeral mass was held in Toronto, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Toronto, Ontario on May 12, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering. A private interment took place on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, at the St. John's Anglican Cathedral Cemetery in Winnipeg.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's name to Hospice Quinte (hospicequinte.ca) would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be placed at: mcdbrownscarb.ca.

As Mom often said, “I had a good life."

Rest in peace.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 20, 2023