Obituary of Joanne Rice

July 6, 1940 – St. Louis, Missouri, USA

November 9, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Joanne Rice, beloved wife of Conrad Hjalmar Reitz of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the age of 81 years.

Joanne was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on July 6, 1940. She moved to Concord, Massachusetts, shortly after that, and spent most of her childhood there. Joanne immigrated to Canada in 1958, to Kitchener, ON, where she met and married her first husband, Edwin (Ted) Bounsall. Joanne graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in Sociology, after studying Anthropology in London, England, and at the University of California. In the late 70's, Joanne and Ted’s journey took them in different directions. Later, Joanne was thrilled to marry Conrad Hjalmar Reitz in 1991.

Joanne worked for the Probation and Parole Office in Windsor, ON, from 1978 until her retirement. She volunteered at the Brentwood Recovery Centre for many years, she was an active campaigner for the NDP, and the labour movement from 1966 first in Windsor and then onwards from 2015 in Alberta. Joanne ran an Outreach Ministry, Saving Grace, in Windsor after her retirement. She sang in various church choirs and with the Windsor Symphony orchestra, rediscovering her joy in playing the Oboe. Joanne was an avid NASCAR fan, she and Conrad spent many years pursuing the race circuit on their summer holidays. It would be easier to name the tracks she never visited, than those she did. Joanne followed many famous drivers, such as Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Carl Edwards, and more recently, Chase Elliott. She watched the last elimination race. But none of this says the most important thing: Joanne touched the lives of many people; at work, at church, at play, in her volunteer endeavors, and was well loved by all. Her passing leaves a gap in many lives. Her favorite saying for many years was: "God puts into your life the people you need today". More recently: "Get a colonoscopy!"

Joanne is survived by her four daughters and two sons, Sue Breeze (BC), Laura Tisdell (AB), Christine Bounsall (AB), Rebecca Bounsall (AB), Simon Reitz (ON), and James Bounsall (AB); two sons-in-law, Robert Kent (BC), and Brent Tisdell (AB); one daughter-in-law Melissa Reitz, one brother-in-law Martin Reitz, two sisters-in-law Bess Reitz, and Kathleen Bounsall; and her first husband Ted Bounsall. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Summer, Chelsea, and Tristan (BC), Robbie and Jamie (AB), James, Jamie, Jacob, and Amelia (ON); seven great-grandchildren, Russell, Kody, Zoe, Forrest, Orson, Juniper and Maisie; and various nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Joanne was predeceased by her husband Conrad Reitz, parents, Henry and Christine Rice; brother Stanley Rice, and son Philip Reitz.

A Celebration of Joanne’s Life will be held at the City Mosaic Church, Marlborough Community Center (636 Marlborough Way NE, Calgary) on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. (MST). Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Joanne’s service streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8kq44u8jqw. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Brentwood Recovery Home at https://www.brentwoodrecovery.com/donate-now/, or the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca, or your local animal rescue organization.

Joanne and her family would like to thank all the AHS staff at South Campus, Palliative Home Health, and Southwood Hospice.

In living memory of Joanne Rice, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.