Celebration of Life
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Condolences
As already said by Joannie Jolin, Joanne did indeed have "A heart as big as all outdoors", and she genuinely cared for and about others. She was complex and interesting and ..... courageous. It was a privilege to have claimed her as a friend. She was sorely missed when she left for Calgary and will be even more now that her voice won't be available on the other end of a phone line. Just in our minds, Joanne.
I met Joanne when my husband and I joined All Saints' Anglican Church in Windsor, Ontario in 2007. We sang in the choir. She an Alto; I a Tenor. I loved her from the beginning. She told me that she had never been given a middle name so I gave her one - Catherine - after Catherine of Seina and Catherine the Great! I had a name badge made for her with her full name Joanne Catherine Rice Reitz and she wore it on her choir gown. When she left All Saints' and began attending a Pentecostal Church she told us she had been born again. I said, 'Can't you be born again, and still come to an Anglican church?' She said she had tired of what she once loved; the ritual. I remember asking if I could hug her and she said I could hug her anytime I chose! After moving to Calgary I crocheted a gorgeous prayer shawl for her in her chosen colours of lavender and purple. Royal colours. I have a picture of her wearing it in front of her fire place, wearing her lovely smile. Several years ago she came to visit Windsor and my husband, Guy and I had lunch with her at Armando's. We had such an enjoyable time. My love goes out to Joanne's family as they grieve the loss of an exceptional human being. Rest in Peace my dear friend and Rise in Glory.
Joanne was a dynamo with a heart as big as all outdoors. She truly cared for others as evidenced by her career path and retirement work. A pleasure to know and work with, she is kindly remembered. My condolences to her family.
Joan McSweeney, Leamington On
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