Obituary of DINNING – Joey

1918 – 2011 Joey Dinning went home to be with the love of her life—her Jackson—when she died in Calgary on February 10. She’ll be remembered by family and friends as a modern, elegant and dignified woman. Loving and strong-willed. Fun-creating and admirably self-disciplined. Independent and always attired like she’d just stepped off the pages of Vogue. She loved her RCAF Flight Lieutenant husband Jack, just as he was devoted to her. She doted on her parents Sherman and Bessie Smith and revered her sister Betty de Winton. She had infinite pride and devotion for her three “boys”, Bob, John and Jim, along with a deep affection for her daughters-in-law, Kathryn Dinning and Evelyn Main. She adored her 13 grandchildren and two nieces and her nephew–all of them her “darlings”. She also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren (who’ll grow up hearing stories of their Granny Jo) and her sister-in-law Dorothy Field of Vancouver. Memories include early days in Melville, SK, Edson, AB and Calgary; St Hilda’s School for Girls; University of Alberta and her Delta Gamma days; Joliet Ave with one year old Bob, awaiting news of Jack’s fate after being shot down and then imprisoned as a POW in Stalag Luft 3; life in Edmonton’s Glenora community; forty-three years at 240 in Elbow Park; the Samaritan Club; her Jolly Jumper franchise and auditioning babies to find her ‘best jumpers’ for Britannia’s Betty and Bobby Shop window; the Glencoe’s Batty Bowlers; “cheerios” at Kapasiwin Beach, on the deck at Premier Lake or after golf at the Country Club (cheerios anywhere for that matter); her ‘own pew’ at Christ Church and polishing the brass at Altar Guild; Granny Jo’s chocolate chip cookies, special sandwiches and playing solitaire. Joey was blessed with so many good friends who shared her zest for life. She was an inspiration to women as she fought radical cancer in the late 1960’s–and she won the battle. Her last years found her in the loving care of the nurses and staff of the Fountains of Mission and Beverly Centre Glenmore. Her family thanks them all for their generous support. When the grass is green again, a private family service will be followed by a gathering for ‘cheerios’ and sharing of memories with family and dear friends. Donations in Joey’s honour to the charity of the donor’s choice would be most welcome. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Joey Dinning, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200