Joan was more than a coworker, she was a friend.

One of my fondest memories goes back to when I saw her at the hockey area. She was standing there as I walked in just passing the time. As I approached her, I could see the wheels turning in her mind. When I ask how she was and then if her son was playing she said “no, I spend more time waiting for him to get changed before and after the game, than I do actually watching him and his hockey equipment smells like a wet goat when he’s is done. The arenas are so cold all the time that I sometimes wonder why I do this.” Then I saw the smile on her face and I knew she enjoyed every minute of it.
Her sense of humor and wit, were what I liked most about her. She would sit back, take in the situation and right at the best moment, the sarcastic Joan reply came flying. They were always on point too.
She was also a great friend with a big heart and would do anything for you.
Heaven just acquired another angel!

I’ve known Joan since I joined Clarica (now Sun Life) fresh out of college.  I’ll remember her for her work ethic and for the fact that we shared a dislike for silly workplace functions.  More importantly though I’ll remember her for her sense of humor.  She had a quick wit with great timing and always managed to make me laugh.  She deserved far more quality time in her retirement than she was given.  Joan was a great person and will be missed by everyone who knew her.  Rest in peace Joan.  Until we see you again.

It was very shocking to hear the news.  Words can not describe the loss of a friend, co worker, a mentor and especially our work family member.   It was very sad to hear Joan is gone.  

I worked with Joan side by side for over 20 years, we chatted everyday, laughed, shared, built scripts and broke even more but at the end we made things better.  I learned a lot from Joan. 

Joan may have gone but she'll always be beside me, every time I open a script on my computer or work on a release, she'll always be beside me…as Joan always said. Nadir “we are joined at the hip “

There are some people that never leave you,  and you'll always be with me everyday, Joan was that person.  Keep smiling Joan up there,  you will always be missed.

Joan was a silent guardian. Someone who never said a lot but was always right there if you needed her no matter what.
She was one of those people that was always there and everyone depended upon daily whether they knew it or not.
She wasn’t one for carrying on long in depth discussions about life or work, but when she chose to speak you needed to listen.
It meant it was something that she was passionate about if it was life related or important if it was work related.
Periodically she would throw in some quick witted words to floor everyone and remind us that she was human and had an incredible sense of humor hiding in there.
At the retirement party we had this summer for her at my home, I remember catching her at different times when she wasn’t engaged in discussion with anyone, just gazing out at everyone with this very casual “Joan grin”. It was a happy grin and a guardian grin all at the same time.
Always looking out for everyone around her. That is how I will always remember her and cherish her.

I didn’t know Joan for very long, but when we started working together we worked together for multiple hours a day nearly every day. I learned very quickly what a kind, patient, and quit-witted person she was. Even though she refused to admit it, she was an excellent teacher and always let us know that she’d be around after-hours and even post-retirement should James or I ever needed to call upon her extensive knowledge. The work family here at Sun Life has been so great to me in the short time that I’ve been here, and I can feel the hole that was left with her passing. Rest in peace Joan.

I can still remember the first day Joan was hired in ATS by Kim Zohr.  We sat beside each other on the 19th floor and who knew 27 years later we still worked together and sat beside each other all those years. I spend more hours a day with Joan in the past 23 years then my own family.  Joan was definitely family to me. (my work family).  
Every day she would come in and say “Morning or Hello”  never would she say “ Good morning” as mornings were not her thing.  We had many of chuckles over her arrivals in the morning. Joan was a very private person but through out the years, we shared a lot of our personal lives with each other.  She would always talk about Jeff, she was soo proud of him, and I will never forget the day she came to work and told me that Jeff and Amanda were engaged. Joan never showed much emotion but that day there were tears in her eyes(tears of joy). She was soo happy that Jeff found Amanda as she loved her like her own daughter.  Joan enjoyed going to Amanda and Jeff’s and watching the cats. She always said it was her vacation away from home. Joan would talk about going to the trailer in grand bend, or coming in with aches and pains after a night of bowling.   She shared stories of spending Christmas with Vi and her family.  She really cherished her friendship with Vi!  
Joan was the most thoughtful colleague I could ask for. Her support, friendship and words of wisdom meant a lot to me. It sure did make sailing through a working day a lot easier.  Joan would always go above and beyond to get the job done,  always finding a way to get things done, even in challenging situations. We truly made a great team, she is a treasured friend, “there will never be another Joan” I was so privilege of knowing and working so closely with her.  
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.. I will never forget you Joan! 
Thank you for the layers of memories over the last 27 years.

We had many fun times to look back on. Memories to cherish. Rest in peace my friend. ❤️

Joan, you were the first Best Friend I ever had.  I have so many memories I can't even count.  One of my favorite memories is the time we flew out West together to Lake Louise and Banff.  We rented a car and, of course, you did all the driving. You were always the brave one.  Encouraging me to do new adventures. We had the time of our lives!  I can't believe you are gone.  You are in my heart now, and will be forever.  I miss you so much!

Debbie

It is most shocked for me to hear Joan's passing, as Amanda's bridesmaid, I remember us shared a nice meal together right before Amanda's wedding. She was such a kind and generous person, hope her spirit rest in peace.

Joan, I have known you for so many years.  A great sister-in-law.  Will miss you, but I do have many good memories of the times we spent together.
Connie Schuts

Joan was a private woman but managed to have so many friends and colleagues. I am feeling the loss of a woman who treated me like her own daughter. She was more than just my mother-in-law and she will be so dearly missed.

Dear Jeff, we were so sorry to hear about your Mom.  My husband Ab Gesinghaus and I, Mary Gesinghaus were close to your Grandma Dorothy.  Ab’s sister Pat was very close to Joan.  Her death was unexpected, but peaceful.  We could all wish for that.
Many many condolences from extended family in Alberta.

A lifetime of amazing memories that will forever be who I am.  You were and will continue to be my biggest supporter, mentor, protector, friend and above all else, my Mom.  You are and will always be loved and remembered.

Joan was a friend and we bowled together for many years.  We quickly discovered I worked with her brother Dave and also knew some of her cousins.  We both enjoyed curling and spent a lot of time texting back and forth our curling views as well as other things.  I will miss having this wonderful person in my life.

Joan you will be forever in my heart.  You were, and always will be, one of my dearest friends.  Friends forever

Joan was my softball buddy, back in the days and more recently bowling.  She will be missed
Carol Shrubsall

I am so sorry to hear that Joan has passed.  We knew each other for many years and travelled to many bowling tournaments together.  I will miss her very much, especially her sense of humour, which always made everyone smile.  She was a great lady and a great person.  RIP Joan.

Very sorry to hear about Joan's passing...I bowled with her for many years...she was a very nice lady and I enjoyed having her as a friend
RiP

OBITUARY

Joan Strub

May 14, 1957 – October 7, 2023

Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre

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