HEGGIE, JOANNE
Published | By
DOROTHY JOANNE (SUDO) HEGGIE
Our sweet Joanne, wife, mom, and grandmother, returned to her heavenly home on Tuesday August 4, 2020. Joanne was a loving and supportive wife to her husband, Ron, mother to 4 children: Susan (Greg) Peterson, Linda (Dallas) Sherwood, Karel-Lyn (Gary) Snedden, and Darcy (Shanda) Heggie. Joanne was a grandmother to 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (12 in October). Her grandkids all thought they were gramma Jo Jo’s favorite because she made them each feel so special.
Joanne was born August 30, 1940 to parents Cestton and Dorothy Sudo. Joanne was proud of her Japanese and Belgian heritage. Joanne was the oldest of 5 children and took her role as the oldest very seriously. She felt a lifelong love and responsibility for her younger siblings. She was blessed with great aunties and loved them all dearly.
Joanne was the oldest child on the farm and worked from a young age alongside her little brother, Donny, moving hand pipes, hoeing beet rows, and stacking pea vines and hay. This hard work and responsibility served Mom well for the rest of her life. Through her fine example, she showed her children and grandchildren the value of a great work ethic. She married Ron and gained 2 wonderful supporters and mentors, in-laws Avilda and Bob. Aside from her exemplary homemaking role, Mom was an equal partner to Dad in founding R.K. Heggie Grain Ltd. in 1959. Mom was the original office manager, the backbone of this business, and as it grew she was always the voice of reasoning. She tirelessly supported Ron as he expanded his business and developed other successful ventures. She supported Ron as he became the co-founder and integral part of getting the following businesses started: Hiway 52 Feeders, Transmark Ltd, Lethbridge Inland Terminal Ltd., and Alberta Midland Railway Terminal Ltd. Together they 2 built homes, the last being a beautiful acreage west of Raymond. Joanne and Ron spent thousands of hours in their yard, and their kids and grandkids spent many happy times together as a family in their beautiful yard. They had immaculate flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens. At the end of the growing season Joanne would can and preserve all the fruits of their labors. Joanne loved to camp and downhill ski, hike in Waterton, and walk or ride her bike on the country roads in the early morning hours. She was able to do all of these things until well into her 60s. She enjoyed the company of many good friends and family. Laughter was always present. Joanne served in many callings in the LDS Church and grew to know, love, and serve many people this way. She loved all the Young Women she served over the years and had a special place in her heart for them. Joanne and Ron were called as Stake Missionaries and served in the Del Bonita Branch. There, they also made many lifetime friends. Joanne was called to serve as an ordinance worker in the Cardston Alberta Temple and although initially nervous about this new calling, Joanne was blessed to be able to accomplish all that she needed to serve in this capacity. Joanne had the humble privilege to provide support and guidance to so many beautiful brides on their special wedding day. She always kept a special place in her heart for these women, and over the years the family has enjoyed hearing how much her love and guidance helped these brides on their special day.
Gramma Jo Jo always remembered her grandkids’ birthdays, her kids always enjoyed an angel food cake with her special fondant icing for their birthdays, and we are pretty sure she kept Carlton Cards in business. Joanne had an amazing sense of humor and kept this until the end. She was a loving, compassionate, and humble daughter of God. She served a divine mission during her time on earth. She will go on now to renew her acquaintances with those who passed on before her: her parents, Cestton and Dorothy; Ron’s parents, Bob and Avilda; her beautiful granddaughter, Kenzie; and Ron’s brothers, Alan and Ray. We are blessed and comforted beyond measure to know that families are forever.
We are grateful for all those who provided loving care for mom during her years at home, and for the wonderful care she received from the doctors and nurses of Raymond hospital.
A Private Family Service will be held at a future date. Her funeral service may be viewed online following the service.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of HEGGIE JOANNE 2020..
Death notice for the town of: South Lethbridge, Province: Alberta