JOAN MARGARET SZPAK

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JOAN MARGARET SZPAK July 9, 1930 - August 21, 2018 It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Joan Margaret Szpak on August 21, 2018, at the age of 88 years old. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Emil, mother Margaret, father John and siblings, James and Thelma. Joan is survived by her daughter Linda (Glen), son Grant (Barb); grandchildren, Michael (Brandy), Laura (Sean), Kristina (Nate), Samantha (Paul), her precious great-granddaughter Lennie who held a very special place in her heart, special sister-in-law Adeline, along with family in Northern Ireland, and many other nieces and nephews. Joan was born in Belfast, Ireland on July 9, 1930 to Margaret and John Poulson. She worked at The Bank Buildings Ltd. as an assistant in the stationery department when she decided to travel to Canada with her friend Sadie. Joan arrived at Saint John, New Brunswick on January 22, 1954 at the young age of 24. She then continued to travel to Winnipeg, Manitoba where she quickly gained employment at Eaton's. Soon after she met the man she was going to marry, Emil Szpak. Joan and Emil were married at St. Stephen's Church on October 5, 1957. While residing in Dauphin, Manitoba, Joan gained her Canadian Citizenship in 1962. While raising her family Joan loved to volunteer her time. She volunteered at the McLeod Elementary School, St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society, Deaf Centre, and many more places throughout her life. Over the years Joan loved to travel with family and friends, and her special place was Waikiki, Hawaii. She developed a passion for reading novels, and you would always find her with a book in her hand. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her grandchildren and her precious great-granddaughter Lennie. Please join us in celebrating Joan's life on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, Manitoba R4A 2A8. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 25, 2018