JOAN GOLDSBOROUGH

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JOAN GOLDSBOROUGH Peacefully in the early hours of November 24, 2016, at the Calvary Place Personal Care Home, Joan ended a struggle with declining health of the past several years. Predeceased by her loving husband Len and her parents Stan and Ida Hodgson, Joan is survived by her three children, Gordon (Maria, Stefanie, Josef), Greg (Marianne, Justin, Ryan), and Janice (Kelsey, Laurel); her brother George Hodgson (Winnie); and her sister-in-law Dorothy Myskiw. Born in Carman on February 25, 1937, Joan grew up on the family farm in the Stephenfield district, attending Stephenfield School (1942-1952), Graysville School (1952-1953 where, notably, she met Len, who immediately won the heart of her mother, if not Joan), and St. Claude School (1953-1954). She began a long career in education at the age of 17 as a permit teacher of students in all grades at Tobacco Creek School (1954-1955). She then attended the Manitoba Teachers' College in Winnipeg from September 1955 to June 1956 to get her formal teaching credentials and also re-met Len thanks to his sister Dorothy who was there at the same time. She returned to the classroom at Elm Creek School (1956-1957) before marrying Len on August 10, 1957 at St. Paul's United Church in Graysville, followed by a reception in the Stephenfield School. She joined Len on the teaching staff of Brittania School in St. James where she taught until 1959 when her first child was born. She became a dedicated stay-at-home mom in a new home in Charleswood where she was active in the Charleswood United Church, serving at one point as the Sunday School superintendent. She also began working part-time on an Arts degree at the University of Winnipeg, graduating years later. The family moved to the Goldsborough farm at Ferndale following the death of Len's brother. Joan returned to multi-grade teaching at the Homewood Hutterite Colony where she spent three enjoyable years (1981-1984) before moving on to the Vermillion Hutterite Colony (1984-1986). She then returned to public school teaching at J. A. Cuddy School in Sanford, where she taught grade one until retirement in 1998. During this time, she was an active member of Ferndale United Church and, after it closed, Starbuck United Church. She looked after elderly relatives, took meals to the men working in the fields, hosted dinner theatres, won trophies for old-time dancing with Len, cheered on the Goldeyes, joined the Red Hat ladies, and enjoyed long walks with faithful hound Howie. After Len's death in 2012, Joan moved into an apartment in Winnipeg, relocating to Calvary Place when she was no longer able to live independently. The family extends its sincere thanks to the staff there for their exceptional care over the past two years. A memorial service on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Doyle's Funeral Chapel in Carman. Joan has been interred beside Len in the Starbuck Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to make donations in her memory are encouraged to direct them to the Parkinson's Society of Canada, 7-414 Westmount Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R2J 1P2 or online at www.pakinson.ca Doyle's Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements www.doylesfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 26, 2016