Obituary of Joan Phoebe Emily Sherley

 December 1, 1926- Shefford, England

March 22, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Joan Sherley of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at the age of 96 years.

Joan was born in the town of Shefford, England in 1926. With her father serving in the military, she grew up in various towns close to the military bases in southern England. Towards the end of WW II, she met Walter, a dashing, young Canadian serving in the RCAF, who would become the love of her life. Joan and Walter were married in 1945 and immigrated to Canada where they raised their five children while residing mainly in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Cranbrook. They were always active in their communities and looked forward to the many gatherings and celebrations with their family and friends. True to her English heritage, Joan was always up for a chat and a nice cup of tea.

In addition to providing a warm and loving household, Joan was very talented in a number of crafts, including knitting, needlepoint, spinning and weaving. She gave weaving demonstrations to school children and received numerous awards for her crafts at the Calgary Stampede. In her 80s, Joan took up art and surprised everyone with her beautiful oil paintings. Her crafts and artworks will always be treasured by her family.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her children, Shireen Patience (Garry), Bruce (Roberta), Mark (Cathy), Paul, Leanne Howes (Brian); and by her two surviving sisters in England, Pat Dunlop, and Shirley Wareham (Alan). She was known as Nanny to her ten grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by her loving husband Walter, her infant daughter Carol Ann, brother Richard and sister Jeannette. Our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgemont Retirement Residence and Cambridge Manor for Mum’s care and support in her later years.

A private family service will be held for Joan in accordance with her wishes and she will be interred with Walter at the Queens Park Cemetery. 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. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.