1932 – 2023
The family of Joan announce her passing on August 23, 2023. She was born in Calgary and was raised in Royalties, a small oil boom town north of Longview that no longer exists. She was the youngest of 3 girls and was raised in a loving supportive family. She attended business College in Calgary and married Harvey Howes in 1953. The family moved to Carstairs in 1960.
This was the start of her extensive volunteer life. She started as a leader for CGIT and expanded her volunteerism as the children grew. Joan was very busy raising 3 kids, camping most spring and summer weekends and as they grew so did her volunteering. Cubs (Bagheera), Guides (leader and eventually District Commissioner), secretary for the Recreation Board, managed the kitchen/commissary at the skating rink, IODE, and more we can’t recall. Carstairs would have been a lesser place for the lack of Joan’s energy, drive and open friendliness.
In 1985 Harvey received early retirement and they started spending some winter time in Yuma, Arizona. Summers on the West Coast at Deep Bay where Dad fished. The view out the front window of their motorhome could knock your eyes out.
They lost their son Lorne to cancer in 1988 and that left a hole in Joan’s heart. Joan and Harvey lived in their own home until 2017, moved into Chinook Winds care home in Carstairs and then moved to Bethany Didsbury while dealing with Covid realities. Unfortunately, Joan slipped into dementia in the last few years of her life.
Joan is survived by her husband Harvey, Son Randy (Cathy), Daughter Sandy, Grandchildren: Shane (Laura), Dustin (Kelsey), Brandon and Lauren. Great grand children: Jace, Owen, Liam and Maddix.
She experienced a full, loving life and has touched many lives over the years. We would like to thank both care facilities for the loving, caring support Mom received. A celebration will be held at a later date.
