Obituary of Joanne Louise Campbell (nee Soener)

November 11, 1925 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
October 11, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Joanne left us on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in her 96th year, with family and clergy by her side. With Queen Elizabeth II and Angela Lansbury moving on, it’s likely she thought now was as good a time as any. 

She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 11, 1925. Her innate love of learning started early, and she took it to heart when a teacher praised her for her natural curiosity. This interest in people, places and things only developed with age. She wanted to know how something worked, how projects developed, and she remembered more things about our friends than we did!

Joanne shared her love for learning as a young teacher with the students of Boys Town, in Omaha, Nebraska and then, after marrying Robert W. Campbell in August of 1948, focused her teaching skills on her rapidly growing brood. Three children were born in the States before she and Bob made the decision to move north and settle in Calgary in 1955. Although she couldn’t vote in either the USA or Canada for almost 50 years, she delighted in telling one and all what could be done to improve both countries. That situation improved in 2005 when she officially became a Canadian citizen.

Three more children necessitated a tightly run ship and Joanne was a capable Captain. She was ahead of her time in the area of organization and could likely have had a lucrative career in helping others get their !*&# together. There wasn’t a margarine container or shoe box that she couldn’t put to good use under a sink or in a closet.  Every moment presented a teachable opportunity which extended beyond her own children. Many of our friends still remember the life skills that they learned from Mrs. C.

One would think raising six children would keep a person busy enough, but Joanne also had many interests outside of her home - the Holy Cross Women’s Auxiliary, University of Calgary Senate, the Mustard Seed, and Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Box project to name a few. She especially treasured the lifelong friendships she had with members of the Calgary Center for the Performing Arts Guild.  Joanne was also committed to her parish community at St Anthony’s Church. She served on the parish council, helped get the new church hall built, volunteered as part of the funeral committee and was a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League. She was the self-appointed advisor to many of the parish’s priests over the years, always willing to give her input, solicited or not. 

She leaves behind six good human beings, Mike (Ann), Tim (Jennifer), Christa (Paul), Carey (Barry), Dan (Kristy) and Jane.  Those six children have raised sixteen grandchildren and some of those are now raising twelve, soon to be thirteen great-grandchildren, all equally good human beings. A true legacy. Leaving before her are husband, Bob, brother, Bob Soener, and grandson, Josh Campbell. We are confident she was met by her many four-legged companions across the rainbow bridge. She was known as Joanne, Kiddo, Mom, Mrs. C, Gramer, Bama, and Gigi. May she be remembered for her love for singing, reading, puzzling and crafting, her keen intellect, and her feisty opinions.  

A Celebration of Joanne’s Life will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (5340 – 4th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Joanne’s celebration streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Joanne Campbell, 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.

Click Here to View Joanne Campbell's Memorial Card

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