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- JOAN PATERSON
JOAN PATERSON 1955 - 2008 It is with great sadness that we inform you that Joan passed away peacefully at home at 3:58 Thursday afternoon. She bravely fought a long and hard battle against the pancreatic cancer that was first diagnosed in June of 2006. Joan was a warm, caring and loving person who nurtured many strong and close friendships in both her personal and professional life. Joan is survived by her husband Pat, daughter Melanie, son Evan, mother Isobel (Dolly) Juffs, sister Gail (and husband Andrew Bagnall and their children Blair, Drew and Brittany), and brother Jack Juffs (and wife Shelby and their children Kyle and Lorelle). Also mourning her loss are Pat's family - father-in-law Ted Paterson and wife Janet, mother-in-law Doris Paterson and Willy, and all of Pat's brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her father, Robert (Bob) Juffs. Joan started her post secondary education at the University of Winnipeg, where she majored in psychology. Shortly after, she relocated to the Yukon with Pat Paterson, where they married in 1977. After teaching Grade 1 for one year in Watson Lake, Joan and Pat returned home to Winnipeg, where Joan worked with special needs children at the St. Amant Centre. Joan moved on to teach primary years at George McDowell School. She derived great joy from working with young children and went on to become a trained Reading RecoveryTM teacher. She later took additional training and became a Reading RecoveryTM Teacher Leader and travelled throughout the province sharing her expertise and enthusiasm. Joan had completed the coursework toward her Master of Education degree when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite the surgery and debilitating treatments that she was undergoing, she completed and defended her thesis. She received her Master of Education on October 17th, 2007. A very special thanks to Mac and to all of Joan's friends (you know who you are) who supported her through love, gifts, rides, cards, e-mail, food, flowers and visits. It is a tribute to Joan for her to have fostered so many strong and close friendships. Our sincere appreciation goes to all of her caregivers. Cancer Care, Palliative Care and Home Care were a huge help throughout Joan's long and tiring battle. The memorial service will take place at Regent's Park United Church on Saturday, November 22nd at 2:00 p.m. If you wish to do so, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation on Joan's behalf to Cancer Care Manitoba. Joan will be missed by the many lives she has touched. To view some photos or to leave a message please go to joanpaterson.com which should be online in the coming days.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on November 15, 2008
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