Obituary of Elsie (Joelle) Joan Marshall

February 23, 1933 – Edmonton, Alberta

February 13, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Elsie (Joelle) Joan Marshall  of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the age of 88 years.

Joan was born on February 23, 1933 in Edmonton to Ethel and Harold Marshall. The family moved to NW Calgary when she was in elementary school. Growing up, Joan was active in both dancing and figure skating. After obtaining her teaching degree from the U of C, Joan taught in elementary schools in both NW Calgary and Okotoks. She had a flair for the dramatic and was involved with the local Okotoks drama group. Her adventurous spirit led her to give up teaching to travel to New Zealand, returning in the early 70s to work as a Health Education Officer. Her last trip back was to ring in the new millennium with the many friends she made there. Returning to Canada, she moved to Victoria, BC, to work and explore the city and area with her hiking group. An avid writer, Joan kept in touch with everyone she met and has many good friends in both Victoria and New Zealand.

Joan chose the name “Joelle”, when she returned to Calgary to care for her aging parents. After her father passed, she would regularly rent a car for the weekend, pick up her mom in High River and off they'd go, traveling down the Cowboy Trail, often stopping at the Bar U Ranch. Joelle enjoyed living close to the river and the downtown core. Within cycling and scootering distance to coffee shops and all the activities she loved, one would often find her savouring a latte or a cappuccino, writing and reading. 

Joelle was a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society downtown and the Alexandra Writing Centre in Inglewood, taking several classes through both.  And through her involvement with the Hillhurst Go Getters, she joined in many hiking, theatre, and lunch outings. She also loved animals; and in both Victoria and Calgary, was known to pet sit for friends when they travelled. 

Sadly, in November of 2013, she suffered a stroke and was admitted to Mayfair Care Centre, where she lived until her passing on February 13. Joelle always had a smile for everyone, resident, staff and visitor, as she went down the hallways. Her paralysis did not slow her down as she explored her creativity in many of the recreation art programs. The pet pal program was another favourite of hers.

Graveside Service will be held in High River Cemetery at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca, or to a charity of your choice.

A HUGE thank you to the caring staff on the Rideau Unit and the Recreation Therapy department at Mayfair Care Centre who blessed Joelle with their love, kindness, and compassion every day. 

In living memory of Joelle Marshall, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.