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DR. JOAN LOUISE KOCH
Date of Passing: Dec 07, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDR. JOAN LOUISE KOCH
Dr. Joan Louise Koch, age 71, passed away peacefully among friends on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario. She was born in Selkirk, Manitoba to the late Fritz Koch and Inga (Eichkorn) Koch.
She is survived by her eldest brother Charles (Cathy) and her nephews and niece, Jim (Vanessa), Daniel (Georgia), and Julianne (Alfredo); grand-nephew Simon and grand-niece Elizabeth. She was predeceased by her dearly loved brother Richard, sister Frances (Jack), and special uncle, Herbert Eichkorn.
Joan grew up in rural Petersfield, Manitoba and attended Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive High School. After high school, she trained and worked as a medical laboratory technician, supporting herself throughout her university education. In 1984, she achieved her Doctor of Medicine Degree through the University of Manitoba and decided to advance her medical training at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto where she lived with Ivanka, John, and Lucy Blazevic, whom she cherished as her second family to this day.
In 1986, Joan opened a family practice office in Mississauga and became a Staff Physician at Credit Valley Hospital. Over 27 years, she provided thoughtful, compassionate, and exemplary care to her primary care patients. In 2013, she retired from family practice and opened a new chapter of her medical career by working exclusively as a surgical assistant and then Surgical Assist Lead at Credit Valley Hospital.
Outside of medicine, Joan enjoyed the simpler life. She delighted in dinners with her friends and visiting her family in Manitoba. Her family recalls fond memories of playing cards and boardgames. Even during Joan’s illness this past summer, she took the time to travel and watch her grand-niece participate in a national dance competition. She marveled at the energy. She loved her two precious Cocker Spaniels, Captain and Peek-a-boo and developed a finer appreciation for the arts including live musical theatre in Toronto as well as “The Pops” through the Toronto Symphany Orchestra.
Joan was selfless and took a genuine interest in others. Her kindness, understanding, and ability to listen were unmatched. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and patients.
Joan will return to her family and childhood home of Petersfield.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Petersfield, Manitoba. A visitation and time for prayer will be held prior to the Mass. She will be laid to rest in the Churchyard cemetery. A luncheon will follow the interment in the Church basement hall.
Flowers are welcomed. If desired donations can be made to the Canadian Red Cross or to your local food bank.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2025