Obituary
Joanne Kathleen Thomas (nee Nelson)
April 16, 1938 – October 5, 2022
Heaven has a new Angel.
Joanne passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a brief illness at the Grace Hospital on October 5th, 2022. Joanne will be missed dearly by her husband Lorne of just over 66 years. Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Lorna Thomas, Rose Marie Hrechkosy (Darryl), Norma Reinhardt (Alex) and “Buzz” Lawrence Thomas, Joanne’s pride and joy, her four grandchildren, Bryce, Lindsay, Amber and Matteo.
Joanne was predeceased by her parents Kathleen (Katherine) and Joseph Nelson, sister Emma Burns and brother Leonard Nelson. She is survived by her siblings Ruth Brousseau and Jack (John) Nelson and their families. Joanne was the eldest child of Joseph and Kathleen Nelson. At age 84, she was the eldest cousin in a very long line of the Nelson generations to follow. She has one remaining uncle, Arnold (Lawrence) Nelson.
At the tender age of 13, she embarked on raising her first family, her siblings. Due to her mother’s life altering illness, Mum took on many adult responsibilities at a young age. Joanne met the love of her life Lorne Thomas in 1955 with their first date at a Sadie Hawkins dance. They were married on June 2nd 1956 with many adventurous stories of that day. They resided in Winnipeg Beach with Grandma Thomas. All four of her children were “hatched” during the time they lived in Winnipeg Beach where she set out raising her second family. At the age of 38, Mum went back to complete high school, doing her homework at the kitchen table along with her own children. She went on to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a licensed practical nurse graduating at the age of 40. She started her nursing career in Gimli, Manitoba at Johnson Memorial Hospital. In 1989, Mum and Dad moved to Nanaimo, BC where Mum continued her nursing career until retiring at the end of her shift Christmas Day 1998. Living on Vancouver Island was Mums HAPPY PLACE. They returned to Winnipeg Beach in the of spring 2007 where they maintain a family home.
Mum lived her life with FIERCE independence, strength, and determination to be the most loving mother we could have ever dreamed of having. She was content in that she has raised two families to the best of her ability. Mum, you will remain in our hearts forever.
We would like to thank the staff at the Grace Hospital ICU for their compassion and care of our Mum and our family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mum’s favorite animal rescue, Hope for Wildlife at www.hopeforwildlife.net.
The service will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk, MB. A private family interment will take place.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joanne Thomas October 5 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Selkirk, Province: Manitoba