April 9, 1951 – February 22, 2025
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our sister Joan.
Joan was born on April 9, 1951, in the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, Sask. She was the first child of Leo and Edith Gross. At that time Leo and Edith were farming (mostly dairy) near Zehner which is N.E. of Regina.
In October 1953 the family moved to a farm near Leo’s hometown of Hodgeville Sask. (40 miles S.E. of Swift Current). In late summer 1959 the family moved into their new home in Hodgeville.
Joan attended Elementary School and High School in Hodgeville. She graduated in June 1969.
Joan was diligent and hardworking. She strove to do her best in everything she did, including her schoolwork.
While growing up Joan was busy helping her mother with cooking, cleaning, baking and canning. She also kept busy helping with her six younger siblings.
Joan was also active outside the home. She played ladies softball, participated in High School Curling, and for a few years she figure skated. She was also active in the Catholic Youth Group. She loved to go to movies and attend teen dances.
In September 1969 Joan began her chosen career path, which was to be a Medical Laboratory Technician. She moved to Saskatoon to attend SIAST (which was the new Central Saskatchewan Technical Institute). There she took the theory portion of the program.
In September 1970 Joan moved to Moose Jaw to take the practical portion of the program at the General Hospital. This also included more classroom and study time.
Joan graduated as a Medical Lab Tech in 1971. Her first job was in Penticton. She thoroughly enjoyed working and living there. During that time, she took trips to California and Hawaii. Subsequently she worked in Medicine Hat and then in Red Deer (where she was head of Parsons Clinic Lab). Then, Joan decided to be adventurous. She took a job at the hospital lab in Whitehorse in the Yukon. While there, she enjoyed the local culture and experienced what most people only hear of: days of 24-hour sunshine and days of 24-hour darkness.
While in Whitehorse Joan’s health began to deteriorate. She decided to take some time off to recuperate. So Dad flew to Whitehorse. They packed Joan’s belongings in her car and enjoyed a few days of father/daughter time driving back to Didsbury (where the family had moved in February 1973).
Unfortunately, Joan’s health didn’t improve. After a few years living with Mom and Dad, she moved out on her own to live in subsidized housing in Calgary. Then eventually she needed to move to Long Term Care. She was first in the Didsbury Hospital, then was one of the first residents of the Bethany Care Centre in Didsbury. Lastly, in June 2016, she moved to Hillcrest Extendicare in Calgary. There she passed away suddenly but peacefully in the morning of February 22, 2025.
Joan was a kind, caring, gentle soul. She cherished time spent with family and friends. She particularly enjoyed spending time with her nieces & nephews.
She was also deeply devoted to God and to the Catholic Faith.
Joan was predeceased by her father Leo (October 2014), her mother Edith (June 1998) and her brother Lorne (May 1977).
She is survived by brothers: David, Allan (Denese) & Ted (Anita); sisters: Mary Wood (Cam) & Karen Oyelese (Mide); and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, plus many cousins and one Aunt.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to your favourite charity.
Services for Joan will be held at:
St. Stephen Catholic Church in Olds.
The Prayer Vigil will be Friday, April 25/25 at 7:00 pm
The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, April 26/25 at 11:00 am.
