JOAN LAXDAL

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JOAN LAXDAL With her family by her side, Joan Laxdal passed away at the Grace Hospital on November 26, 2002. Joan was born on July 20, 1921 in Winnipeg. She was the youngest daughter of Charles and Isobelle Overton. As a young woman, Joan owned and operated a beauty salon for several years. She married Gordon in 1942. Gordon and Joan were lifelong residents of Winnipeg, except during Gordons wartime service when they were stationed in Tofino, BC. Joan had a zest for life that uplifted all who knew her. She was a member and volunteer for many years of the St. Matthews Anglican Church and she assisted with a hymn sing program at Lions Manor. Until her recent health problems slowed her down, Joan was always involved in one endeavour or another. She participated in tai chi, exercised and swam at the St. James YMCA, and more recently was involved with the Deer Lodge Centre. She loved to shop and, on any given day, she and Geraldine could be found browsing the stores at Polo Park. Above all else in her life were her husband, her family and her friends. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved family get-togethers. There was always a pot of her home made soup on the stove and one of many recipe books open on the counter as she mulled over a new dish to prepare. Bouncing through the house would be one of the dogs she took in over the years. Duchess, KoKo the dancing dog, Tammy, Buddy, Maggie and Guinness all were fortunate to find a home with Grandma Joan. Joan treated everyone equally, be it family, friends or the foster children she welcomed into her home for a number of years as they passed through difficult periods in their young lives. Joan had a special bond with Geraldine who she took into her home as a young girl in 1961. An anticipated brief stay of several days developed into a permanent one. Geraldine became a member of the family and she and Joan supported one another through lifes ups and downs. Joan was predeceased by her daughter Sheila Solmundson; her sisters, Dorothy Pittas and Phyllis Courtland; and brothers, Donald and Benjamin Overton. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years Gordon; daughter Georgia (Doug) Holmes; son Gordon, Geraldine, Linda (Doug) Cousens; sister Alma Beattie; grandchildren, Carrie (Trent) Hreno, Signi (Larry) Caine, Grant Solmundson, Gregory (Tracy) Solmundson, Dana (Peter) Jessiman, Sigrid (Michael) Duncan, Brett Holmes; great-grandchildren, Stefan Hreno, Dixon, Jonina, Tynan, and Soren Caine, Chelsea and Sunny Solmundson, Alexandra and Cady Jessiman, Sam and Matthew Duncan and Harvey Cousens. The family would like to thank the staff at the Grace General Hospital and, in particular, Dr. Aldor who gave Joan the strength and confidence to carry on. Special thanks to John and Jen in the ICU Ward and Major Cath McFarlane for their care and compassion during Joans last difficult hours. Memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, November 29 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. with Rev. Canon Peter Flynn officiating. Interment to follow. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Grace General Hospital Foundation - Hospice Fund, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg R3J 3M7. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2002