It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Joan Morreen Olijnyk (nee Jackie) on July 21, 2016. Joan is survived by her mother Jean, her daughter Lori, her son Willie (Melonie) and grandchildren Sophie, Max and Sam; brother Butch (Cindy Cole); sister Candy (Vern Schick). She was predeceased by her brothers Dale and Bob, and father Emil.

Joan was born in Melville, March 2,1945. She attended Cottage & Central Schools, then Melville High School. She loved music and earned diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She was proud to be a drum majorette and would often chase brother Butch with her batons when he misbehaved. After graduation Joan worked at IBM in Winnipeg with her favourite cousin Carol. She later earned a diploma with highest honours in interior decorating.

Joan was very stylish, often sewing her own outfits. She was a self-professed hairstylist and would cut both her brothers’ hair and create spit-curl hairdos for Candy and Lori. She would straighten her own hair with an iron on an ironing board and preserve her bouffant by wrapping it in toilet tissue at night!

Joan loved music, cooking, entertaining in her home and being the best mom, not only to her own two kids but to all their friends as well! She was very proud to be a three-time grandma! She taught Sunday School, volunteered at every opportunity and cooked up a storm. Joan loved the outdoors, raced in powder puff snowmobile events, hunted, hiked, skied and camped often! She was the top of the pyramid for her water ski regatta club at Crooked Lake, balancing on the shoulders of fellow teammates four levels up! She loved to pack up the motorhome, her siblings, her kids and their friends and head out on adventures!

Joan was the oldest of five kids, which she always denied by stating Butch was ‘the big brother’! Her brother Dale held a special place in her heart, doting on him always. Often she’d play piano while he would bop on top, or when Dale could not travel to Hawaii with her, Joan threw a special Hawaii night at home for him. Proud of her heritage, she’d host German nights and embraced her Ukrainian family by preparing perogies and cabbage rolls at home.

Despite bravely travelling around the world to places like Venezuela, Mexico and Hawaii, Joan did have a few fears. She was deathly afraid of bugs, once jumping out of a slow-moving car that she was driving when a grasshopper jumped through the open window! Mice were not well received either; on several occasions, she would be found shaking on top of the kitchen cupboards waiting for someone to rescue her from stray rodents.

Everyone was always welcome in Joan’s home and would be greeted by the biggest genuine smile. Once you met her, you were mothered by her! She preferred having a houseful of people to peace and quiet. Her church pew kitchen table and benches were full on most occasions!

All who knew Joan recall her big personality, sharp wit and truly kind soul, always social, full of love, spiciness and warmth. She was loved by all who knew her.