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Obituary of Joan Irwin
September 29, 1931 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 19, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta
Our beloved Joan Irwin (nee Williams) passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the age of 90 years.
Joan was born in Winnipeg on September 29, 1931. She graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1953 and worked as a registered nurse in the hospital for several years. Joan and Doug married on April 17, 1954 and were devoted partners for 67 years. Joan made a loving home for the family each time they moved for Doug’s job with Imperial Oil. They lived in Winnipeg, Calgary, Sarnia, and Toronto.
Joan practiced a life of doing small things with great love. She was a skilled nurse. She was a dedicated canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer with the VON and Meals on Wheels. She and Doug loved volunteering at the Theatre Calgary Used Book Sale. The most important things in her life were family and friends. She loved her sisters in PEO. She was a caring daughter, a good sister, a dedicated and loving wife, a wonderful mother, and a kind and wise grandmother.
Joan was an amazing seamstress and won several ribbons at the Calgary Stampede for the gorgeous, smocked dresses she made for her granddaughters. She loved to travel, and they put many miles on their fifth wheel as they escaped Calgary winters, always with their special dog, Buddy. She loved to play games and especially loved bridge. Joan was the perfect hostess and made everyone feel welcome in their home.
Joan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Drew and Sharon Irwin, daughter BJ Milman; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeremy) Howcroft, Sandra (Jordon) Pinkster, Carolyn Irwin, Daniel Milman, Kimberly Milman, one great-grandchild Richard Howcroft and her sister-in-law Maureen Williams.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Douglas Irwin, brother Ross Williams, and son-in-law Gordon Milman.
The family wish to thank the Providence Care Centre for the kindness and compassion they showed Joan during her stay there.
A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at Southwood United Church (10690 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church hall. Masks are required. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with Joan’s family here.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes dedicated to Joan’s memory may be made to Discovery House through this link (http://discoveryhouse.ca/donate/ways-to-give/) or the charity of your choice.
In living memory of Elizabeth Irwin, 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.
