Obituary of Joanne Eleanor COLE (nee Graves)

March 31, 1938 - June 11, 2021
Calgary, Alberta

Joanne, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 31, 1938, lost a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Friday, June 11, 2021, at the age of 83 years.

Joanne graduated from Garneau High School, Edmonton, Alberta, with Honours and completed her post-secondary education at the University of Alberta in 1960. Nursing was her passion and she received numerous awards, culminating with her RN degree and BSc in Nursing.  Upon graduation Joanne worked for the McLeod Regional Health District in Fort McLeod, stationed in Pincher Creek, Alberta, then moved to Calgary for the VON, then on to raising her children. She enjoyed the years with her children, school, community, neighbors.

Joanne was very involved in community and volunteer activities, but her passion for nursing led her to complete the nursing refresher course in 1982, after which she worked at Home Care with Calgary Health Services until her retirement in 1995.  Due to her dedication, she was chosen to be a member of a group of nurses selected to tour China with the Dwight D. Eisenhower International Education Program.

Joanne was an accomplished pianist. She was a leader in the CGIT youth program in Edmonton and Pincher Creek and she was active in St. David’s United Church in Calgary. She was an avid golfer and curler and a proud member of the “Canada Dry Eight Ender Club.” After retirement, she enjoyed travelling the world with Keith.

She enjoyed family summer camping vacations to Mara Lake, Kelowna, the farm in Manitoba, Bella Coola, Disneyland and across Canada.  She always had her trusty AMA guidebook to tell the family what they would see each day.  In 1980, the family upgraded to a cabin in Windermere, where they spent a great deal of time creating fantastic memories with family and friends.

Grandma loved spending time with her grandkids, babysitting them, attending their various sport games, school and music concerts. Grandma taught them so much, including that one of her favorite words was an expression, not a swear.

Joanne is survived by her children, Scott Cole of Atlin, BC, Heather Cowitz (Glen) of Calgary, Alberta, and Shelley Gunn (Kevin) of Tyner, Saskatchewan; grandchildren, Tyson and Charlotte Cole, Cole and Rachel Cowitz, and Aden Gunn; brothers, Wilton Graves (Karen) of Sydney, Australia, Ian Graves of Edmonton, Alberta; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

A Private Family Service was held on Friday June 18, 2021, at Eden Brook Funeral Home with interment following at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. A recording of the service will be posted below by Saturday, June 19, 2021 by 1:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, www.alzheimer.ab.ca, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Words cannot express our gratitude for the kind and compassionate care of Mom in her last few years by the staff at Brentwood Care Center. A special mention to her beloved companions who kept her engaged and happy every day.