Obituary of Joan Ann Hill

July 3, 1937 - Stockton Heath, England

December 9, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Joan Hill of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the age of 84 years.

Joan was born in Stockton Heath, England on July 3, 1937.  She immigrated to Canada in 1965, with her husband and two oldest children, with stops in Ontario, Newfoundland, and British Columbia, before settling in Calgary in 1982. Along the way, her family was blessed with two more daughters.

Joan proudly worked as a paralegal in a number of law firms, ultimately retiring from Gowlings in July of 2002.

She enjoyed watching her grandchildren in their sporting endeavors: hockey, soccer, swimming, football, bareback riding; whatever the activity, Grandma would be cheering enthusiastically from the stands.

Joan had a passion for her dogs and cats, owning several over her lifetime. Her fur grandbabies were the recipients of lots of loving and fussing when she came by for a visit.

She was skilled with her knitting needles, and over the years produced sweaters, hats, and scarves for many family members.  Eventually, she joined the Women’s Knitting Group at South Calgary Community Church, where she helped produce donations for causes across the globe. Recently she was a prolific producer of little knitted dolls destined for Malawi, sometimes knitting multiple dolls per day.

Her greatest passion was for her faith. She will be remembered for her love of God and her fervent attention to scriptural detail, often keeping not just her family but even the pastors on their toes for biblical knowledge and context.

England and the people she left behind were still close in her heart. Whenever she was able, she returned to visit. Touring Blackpool, Liverpool and her hometown of Warrington were all key parts of her travel, but her focus was maintaining close ties with her brothers and their families.

Joan is survived by her three daughters Suzanne and Gordon Avramenko of Tobin Lake, SK, Alexandra and Russell Thomson of Ottawa, ON, and Allyson Hill and Robert Garret of Calgary, AB; son Stuart and Beth Hill of Calgary, AB; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Joan is also survived by her brother Brian (Mavis) Taylor and sister-in-law Marian Taylor, all of England; Joan was predeceased by her parents Harold and Ada Taylor, as well as brother Roy Taylor.

For those wishing to pay their respects, a viewing will take place at South Calgary Community Church (2900 Cedarbrae Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral Services will be held at South Calgary Community Church (2900 Cedarbrae Drive SW, Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A livestream of the service may be accessed at http://www.southcalgary.church/joanhill for those who are unable to attend in person, a recording will also be available for those we cannot view live. Graveside Service to follow at Eden Brook Funeral Home & Cemetery (24223 Township Road 242 Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Samaritan’s Purse, in support of their Shoebox campaign, 20 Hopewell Way N.E., Calgary, AB T3J 5H5  Telephone 1 (800) 663-6500  www.samaritanspurse.ca. 

In living memory of Joan Hill, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.