Joan Marlene (Barnett) Brinkhurst
July 25, 1938 - August 16, 2021 (age 83)
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We are saddened by the sudden passing of our beautiful mom, Joan Marlene Brinkhurst, aged 83 years of Kenora, Ontario. Joan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Emily (Keele) and Ernest Barnett and was predeceased by her husband of 24 years, James Brinkhurst.
Joan leaves to mourn her daughter Cindy Vergunst (Doug) of Kenora, Ontario and son Jim
Brinkhurst (Shaun) of Red Deer, Alberta. Grandchildren Jennifer Carlson (Chris), Chelsea
Socholotuk (Trevor), of Kenora, Ontario and Colton Brinkhurst (Andrea), Travis Brinkhurst (Amber) and Maverick Brinkhurst of Red Deer, Alberta. Great grandchildren Charlie, Maggie and Beth Carlson, Haddie and Gavin Socholotuk, Declan and newest little one Braelynn Brinkhurst. Joan had a loving relationship with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were a big part of her life and she enjoyed many special occasions with them over the years.
Joan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she grew up, and always had many stories to share of her time at St Mary’s Academy. She met Jim in Winnipeg and was married on March 29, 1958. They celebrated the arrival of their daughter Cindy and a few years later, moved to
Brandon, Manitoba where they celebrated the birth of their son Jim. Life took them to Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1964. During the early years as a family, Joan enjoyed being socially involved with curling, bowling, Beta Sigma Phi, snowmobiling, all while working in the K-12 school system and building their first camp on Cloud Lake.
In 1972 Joan and family moved to Kenora, Ontario where they built so many great memories of their cottage life on Longbow Lake and later on Lake of the Woods. There were many beautiful sunsets, and time taken in at camp with family and friends. Joan continued her interests in curling, Beta Sigma Phi and Eastern Star as well as being employed at Confederation College for many years, working in a number of positions until her retirement. It was during her time in Kenora that she joined the Lake of the Woods Lions Club and continued supporting the club well into her retirement. As a 40 year member Joan held many positions from committee chair to president, as well as receiving the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, recipient of the Diamond Centennial Award, District Governors Award, International President's Award and the Hope Medal from the Lions Foundation of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
Her passion for sewing and quilting evolved into a regular quilting group. This gave her great joy over the years and produced many beautiful quilts for the family to enjoy. Joan also loved to read, scrapbook and travel, but in the later years found great enjoyment researching and documenting our family history.
Joan was blessed with many close relationships that enriched her life in so many ways. While there were many close friendships over all those years, Joan shared a “Sister of the Heart” relationship with her cousin Jackie Blight of Oakville, Manitoba. A special mention to her “Friday Night Gals” who got together on so many occasions and enjoyed an evening filled with laughter and companionship.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private family Funeral Service will be held on September 4, 2021 at St Alban’s Cathedral with interment to follow at Kenora cemetery. There will be a live streaming of the funeral service starting at 10:30 a.m. A link to this live streaming will be provided prior to the funeral service.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” come and go gathering at 2:30 p.m. on September 4, 2021 where all friends and family are welcome to come and share their memories of Joan. The gathering will be held at Jen Carlson’s residence at 157 Goss Road, Kenora Ontario. Signs will be posted to assist attendees and appropriate Covid protocols will be followed.
Joan had a very strong passion for the Lake of the Woods Lions Club and its many contributions to the community and world at large. In lieu of flowers, Joan would have wanted any donations to be made to the Kenora Lake of the Woods Lions Club, P.O. Box 431, Keewatin, ON, P0X 1C0.
Mom would have wanted to thank all her family and friends for enriching her life in so many ways. She truly lived a rich and abundant life!
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This link will take you to the St. Alban’s Cathedral, Kenora…..live stream of moms funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021. It will stay on the Facebook Page to also be viewed at a later date/time.
Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/139967139511722/