Joan Evelyn MacRae

It is with heavy hearts we note the passing of our dear Mom, Joan Evelyn MacRae (née Pettit). Joan was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 1988, brothers Ray (Winnie), Bud, Lloyd (Lillian), Fred (Fran) and also granddaughter, Lindsay in 1998. Joan leaves to mourn her son Dan (Betty), daughters Gayle (Alan), and Cathy. Also left to mourn are her grandchildren Garrett, Haley, Carter, Kristyn, Janessa, Caitlan, Rebecca and Daniel and great grandson Colten along with numerous nieces, nephews and Mom’s very special friend Louise Hourie.

Joan was born in Margo, Saskatchewan January 2, 1932. She was the youngest of five children and grew up going to a one room schoolhouse alongside her brothers. Joan moved to Calgary and worked as a hair stylist before marrying Jack on July 27, 1956. Jack & Joan resided between Calgary & Portage la Prairie during their married life. While living in Portage, Joan continued working as a hair stylist making numerous friends along the way.

After Jack’s passing Joan relocated from Calgary back to Portage to be close to Dan and live in a small city. Joan enjoyed her volunteer work with the Fort la Reine Museum ladies and Herman Pryor Centre. Joan loved gardening and preserving her bounty for friends and family to enjoy. Entertaining was something Joan enjoyed as she loved to cook and bake. Joan worked for a season with Dan as a cook at Nueltin Lake Fishing Lodge in northern Manitoba. She met some wonderful people and came home with lots of stories to tell. Mom’s main focus was her family and she traveled to visit them over the years in Dallas, Cincinnati, San Diego, Calgary, Nanaimo and Vancouver. Joan spent hours knitting and was a huge Winnipeg Jets fan watching the games with Louise and discussing with Lucille, her next door neighbor.

Joan will be laid to rest alongside Jack and Lindsay in Calgary. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Douglas Campbell Lodge and Gladstone Health Centre for caring for Mom.

Joan’s family will celebrate her life privately.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com