Joanne Maureen Simpson (nee Parry)
May 26, 1944 – December 12, 2019
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On December 12, 2019 our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Joanne peacefully passed away at the age of 75.
Joanne grew up in Rimbey, Alberta, a place she loved. Childhood was filled with family, friends, and experiences she would treasure for the rest of her life. She often told of summers bike riding with friends all over town, winters trudging across the snow to skate at frozen ponds with friends, and long Saturday afternoons at the movies. After school she would help her father fold the newspaper he published, the Rimbey Record.
After finishing high school, Joanne attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton where she earned her BA and BEd, then began her teaching career at AE Cross Junior High School in Calgary. It was during this time she would meet and marry Brian, the great love of her life and husband of 52 years.
The following five years would prove both busy and exciting, as Joanne and Brian worked, travelled, enjoyed their 1968 Firebird Convertible, and bought their first home, a 3-bedroom bungalow.
In 1971 they were thrilled to welcome their first daughter, Danielle, followed by their second, Suzanne, 18 months later.
Within a year of Suzanne’s arrival, Brian was transferred to his firm’s Toronto office, so Joanne and her young family relocated to Ontario. After an initial landing in Mississauga, they would settle in Oakville.
Over the next four decades Joanne’s kindness, compassion, guidance, leadership, strength, and consideration of others would lead her to become an active and valued member of the community. She continued her teaching career at MacLachlan College, played a vital role in the Maple Grove United Church with teaching and education, as well as many other community service organizations.
After 18 years of teaching at MacLachlan, Joanne embarked on a new chapter of her professional life when she completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with the Adler school, and began a career in counseling. She would help countless individuals, couples, and families through her work with Halton Family Services and private practice until her retirement.
Joanne was loving, warm, and welcoming. She loved her family, adored her grandchildren Abby and Dale beyond measure, and actively sought to be a positive force in her community. Her quiet but formidable strength enriched the lives of those around her and will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held on Monday December 16, 2019 at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block East of Kerr Street) from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday December 17, 2019 at Maple Grove United Church, 346 Maple Grove Drive, Oakville at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Joanne’s memory to Wellspring, Kerr Street Ministries or Maple Grove United Church would be welcomed.
SERVICES
Visitation
Monday, December 16, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home Inc.
64 Lakeshore Road West
Oakville, Ontario L6K 1E1
Visitation
Monday, December 16, 2019
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home Inc.
64 Lakeshore Road West
Oakville, Ontario L6K 1E1
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Maple Grove United Church
346 Maple Grove Drive
Oakville, Ontario L6J 4V5
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joanne Maureen Simpson nee Parry May 26 1944 December 12 2019..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Oakville, Province: Ontario