Obituary
Joanne Seely Watmough, beloved wife of Trevor Watmough passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on the 27 of December at the age of 49 years. She is the loving mother of Nathan (Erin), Ryan and Tyson and Grandma of Jed. She is also survived by her three siblings, Karen (Elton) Henrie, Greg (Becky) Seely and Paul (Tanya) Seely and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased her parents, Garth and Linda Seely.
Joanne was born in Calgary but the family moved to Stirling when she was 5 years old. She attended Stirling School and graduated in 1988. Following graduation, and despite her M.S. diagnosis, Joanne followed her heart and received her RN designation so she could work while continuing her schooling to receive her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Lethbridge in 1992.
During Joanne’s final year of university, Trevor came into her life and they were married and sealed for time and all eternity on August 19, 1991 in the Cardston Alberta Temple. Nathan was born in October of 1993. Ryan came along in September of 1995 and Tyson completed her group of musketeers in April of 1999. The boys brought her great joy as she watched them grow. She mothered them with love and a huge dose of humour as only Joanne could do. When the boys got in trouble, they were always quick to remind everyone that “We are her fault!” Walmart was one place where trouble was on their heels. Joanne did not like Walmart and took it upon herself to try and cause enough trouble to get kicked out. Needless to say, the boys followed her example. Jed joined the team of energetic boys in 2017 and immediately had Joanne wrapped around his finger. Her smile was never so big as when watching her grandson play and grow.
Following her convocation, Joanne was quick to receive a position at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital where she loved being with the children on the pediatric floor. Somehow, she managed to balance her time between her own growing family and her nursing position until she was forced by her disease to remain at home. Joanne was not one to sit and idly let life pass her by. She was fortunate to have some wonderful ladies who worked as her companions and caregivers and they followed her direction as Joanne occupied her time keeping the household running, keeping her four boys in line and doing family history work. She was always encouraging her family and friends to go to the temple. She loved the temple and visited so often that she knew the engineers and others on a first name basis!
Joanne’s strong faith and eternal understanding was the catalyst behind her optimism and positive attitude despite her crippling condition. She served many volunteer positions in her church including Young Women’s President, Family History Consultant, Primary president and teacher, Sunday school teacher and providing service wherever she could. She touched many lives with her spiritual understanding and sweet empathetic ways.
Joanne’s life was full of both hard work and hard play. Family trips were frequent during her growing up years. Many of her teenage summers were spent in California with cousins. Between her college attendance and university terms, she took time off and toured through Europe. Trevor introduced Joanne to backwoods camping and this became a summer priority. Family and friends were always included. Quadding was always the preferred daytime camping activity with card playing occupying the evening hours. Joanne embarked on her first Caribbean cruise in 2006 and fell in love with world travel. Her lack of mobility never slowed her down and she went on a total of 7! A trip to Hawaii and India were also among her itineraries. In between times, there was always a myriad of games, visiting and plenty of fun accompanied by tasty treats to be had in her home for anyone who happened to drop by. Of course, Trevor, her loving and supportive husband, was by her side ensuring that fun was around every corner.
The family would like to thank the numerous friends, care givers and doctors who worked tirelessly to make Joanne’s life and final days enjoyable and comfortable. There is no way that Joanne’s life would have been so fulfilled without numerous friends and loved ones supporting both her and Trevor in so many ways. Our hearts will be forever filled with immense gratitude.
Anyone wishing to visit with Joanne’s family please come to the Watmough home (P.O. Box 268 T0L 0V0) in Coalhurst, Alberta on Monday, December 30 from 6-9pm.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lethbridge East Stake Centre, 4105 – Forestry Ave S. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with meet the family at 9:30 – 10:50. Interment to follow at the Stirling Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Lethbridge East Stake Centre.
To send flowers to Joanne’s family, please visit our floral section.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joanne Rae Watmough August 21 1970 December 27 2019 (age 49)..
Décès pour la Ville: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta