Elizabeth Joan Lawrence

Elizabeth Joan Lawrence (nee McPherson) passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the age of 74 years surrounded by her family at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, AB. She is lovingly remembered and will forever be missed by her husband Don, her daughters Heather and Dawn Marie, her son-in-laws James Jensen and Cameron Mead, granddaughters Natalie Jensen, Maelle and Maren Mead, and “Granddaughters” Lindsay and Melanie Clarkson. She is also survived by her sister Norma Howell, brothers Bob (Orma) McPherson and George McPherson, brothers and sisters-in-law Doug (Meryl) Lawrence, Marlene (Don) Steele, Dale (Bev) Hartley, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Joan was predeceased by her parents William and Florey McPherson, Don’s parents Arthur and Alice Lawrence, Don’s stepmother Thelma Lawrence, and her brother-in-law Russ Howell.

Joan loved teaching and found her career as a Special Education teacher to be extremely rewarding. Outside of her career many hours were spent reading, camping with family and friends, sewing, cooking and square dancing. However, her favourite and most enjoyable pastime was spending time with her granddaughters having tea and donut parties, reading books, creating artworks, playing with Play-Doh, building Lego, and playing cards or games.

The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Grant, Dr. William Kent, Dr. Tomas Godinez and the entire CVICU team of Doctors and Nurses at the Foothills Medical Centre for the excellent care and compassion.

A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at South Calgary Funeral Centre, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at Lake Fraser Gate), on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

At Joan’s request a private family interment will be held in Balmoral, MB at a later date.

A gathering to Celebrate Joan’s Life will also be held in Manitoba on Sunday, November 20, 2016 with more details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Joan’s memory directly to the Victoria Church Fund c/o John Shipley, (Box 117, Balmoral, MB R0C 0H0), where Joan will be laid to rest at Victoria Cemetery, or to a charity of your own choosing.

Messages of remembrance may be left for the family at www.southcalgaryfuneralcentre.ca