FEBRUARY 13, 1933 ~ APRIL 10, 2018 (AGE 85)

Peacefully on April 10 2018, Joan passed away at Trillium Lodge Hospice in Parksville, B.C. at the age of 85.
Joan was born on February 13, 1933 in Winnipeg MB & grew up in the North End. She married her true love David Gerus on January 28, 1961. By 1968, they settled in East Kildonan with their 3 kids. Mom stayed home with us kids until we were all in high school before returning to the work force. She ended up working for the city & became administratively involved with the phase 1 development of the Forks before retiring in 1990. Like many other City of Winnipeg retirees at the time, Mom & Dad moved to Vancouver Island in 1993 to be near the ocean & away from the nasty weather extremes in Winnipeg. They settled first in Cowichan Bay & after some exploring, ended up in Nanoose Bay, where Mom lived independently until her hospitalization on February 28.
Joan is survived by her children Nicholas (Flo), Lisa (Andrew) & Clinton (Margo), 6 grandchildren Amanda, Joshua, Brittany, Jack, Logan & Liam & one great grandson, Bentley.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Dave in 2011, parents Alexander & Pauline Heffel, & many precious family members, friends & pets.
Our Mom will be dearly missed & fondly remembered for her unique spunkiness and fierce independence. She was an avid music & animal lover, a lifelong friend keeper, a talented artist & a no nonsense kind of mom with a truly generous heart & honest spirit. She always did it her way, right to the end. Until we meet again Mom, we’ll love you forever & like you for always ♥
There are not enough words to express our thanks & acknowledge the Dr’s, staff & volunteers at TLH in Parksville. These folks are professional angels who carried our mom through her final journey with pure compassion, TLC & dignity. Special thanks to longtime friend Steve as well who visited our Mom often at TLH.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.

Condolences through https://www.qbfuneralcentre.com/

• Date : 2018-04-10
• Location : Parksville, BC