Joan Olive Wood Heer

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

As we begin our service today, let us take a moment to clear our minds of worry, center our thoughts and focus our hearts on memories of a woman who meant so much, to so many. Loving mother, devoted grandmother, caring sister, helpful neighbor, generous friend and respected mentor.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Welcome, my name is Brianne Jourdin and I am truly honored to be your Celebrant today. I am humbled to have the opportunity to experience such a deep love, devotion and respect with you as we remember, reflect and mourn the life and death of the beautiful, Joan Olive Heer. We join our hearts together to support her family and all of you who loved her, worried about her and miss her. She brought you joy, light, encouragement and warmth. She taught you to be positive and courageous and how to live life to the very fullest. You will not be lost without her, because she gave you the tools you need to succeed in life, to thrive in love and to enlighten your souls.

The long and winding path of grief is best walked with others who are willing to hold each other's hand and offer shoulders and ears for support.

So on behalf of the family, let me thank you all for being here today. Your presence, whether you are here because you were part of Joan's life or to support one of her loved ones, means that Joan made a difference in your life and you took the time to stop and honor her special place on this earth.

Joan came into this world on February 7, 1936. It was the year Hitler would mandate that all German boys aged 10 to 18 were to join the Hitler Youth paramilitary organization; it was the year the 4th Olympic Winter Games were held in Germany, Margaret Mitchell's epic historical romance Gone with the Wind was first published in the US, the incredible Hoover Dam was completed and the first Helicopter took flight. Just think of the wonders of science, the arts, technology, social and government advances and conflicts that passed before Joan's beautiful eyes during her long and eventful life.

This would be a life that would be filled with love and joy and kindness. Joan's life would be blessed with a son and her path would lead her to single motherhood, which she excelled at. She managed to balance parenting and a great career at the Waterloo Region Board of Education, although her superstitious beliefs would always keep her away from the office on any Friday the 13th.

Joan worked in the Human Resources department and she would gallivant all over town bringing paycheques to all of the schools. Needless to say, people were always pleased to see her arrive. It wasn't just the cheques that brought people joy, it was her vibrancy for life and her outgoing personality. Joan was never afraid of a challenge; she learned to drive at 40 years old … and this would give her new wheels and a whole trunk for her shopping excursions.

Joan lived with an immeasurable delight for life. She had an infectious smile, a no worry kind of attitude and an adaptable ease for kinks in the plan. She showed up to a work party one day; she would have been around 50 at the time.... miniature organ under one arm, 12 pack of beer under the other... knocked on the door with her elbow and was greeted by a smiley faced little girl who invited her to come into the kitchen. She sat down, comfortably taking in the scene and was greeted by the little girl's mother who was puzzled to say the least. The two woman eventually concluded that Joan was in the wrong house; so, she politely apologized, gathered her party supplies and readjusted her internal GPS to head to the proper location. No harm, No foul!!

Joan held great pride in many aspects of her life. She was elated with her achievement of home ownership, which was something she never thought she would have. She loved her little home on Pinedale where she would sit on her porch watching all of the little children, the animals and the goings on of the neighborhood for 31 years. Here she was giving of her love and attention to the many dogs she raised; she loved to spend time in her garden and in her kitchen where she would make Sunday Roast beef dinners and feed them to Jack for 3 days afterwards, although she knew he hated leftovers. He would get a bit of a break from the tired routine by Wednesday, but when Sunday rolled around, the cycle would be renewed.

Joan did her best as a mother, and her best was pretty remarkable. When all the kids were sporting Levi jeans and Jack had trusty old Wranglers... she somehow managed to find the means to get him his own Levi's so he could feel like he fit in. She would have done anything for him, she gave him a really good life in material, in love and in lesson.

There is something special about the bond between a boy and his mom and the bond between Joan and Jack confirms this truth. I am grateful for the job I have... while it can difficult at times, it is also very rewarding. I am given the honor of meeting people and hearing their stories of their missed loved ones and when I met Jack, I could see on his face the joy and pride he holds in his memories of Joan.

What is a mother? A mother is loving and supportive and kind and fun. A mother teaches you to have love for all , to never burn bridges and to always treat people the way you want to be treated. A mother religiously watches the shopping channel and figures out sneaky ways around the postal system so you don’t know what she’s ordering. A mother shows you strength when she battles numerous health battles, and she continues to give you love in every moment of every day A mother never judges the life you lead. A mother is loyal and devoted and selfless.

Joan was the kind of lady who gave of herself in all that she did. She was generous, hard working and positive. She spoke positive words regardless of her struggles and she raised a man who would grow to be an incredible husband to Leslie and a loyal, present and loving father to Jamie, Jeff, Joe and Josh. The secret to how he became a man with such amazing qualities, no doubt lies in the gift of being raised by a woman who didn't let life get the better of her. She faced adversities with bravery and she tackled life with tenacity. Her humble integrity shone brightly through her radiant smile.

A mothers job is never done... even now. She may not be with you on this earth, but her legacy is carried in your hearts and your memories and you must think of her in your days and in your actions. Reflect what she taught you; it is your job now to continue to feed the love that she created.

Joan was a woman who loved her family and her faith. Luke 11, verses 9 and 10 gives us an excellent life message, it reads;

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

If anyone; family, friends even strangers asked for help from Joan, she gave. If they sought laughter, they found with Joan; if they knocked on the door of her heart, the door was always opened! Joan was the kind of person we all strive to be like.

The only thing better than having a mother with such brilliant qualities, is having this same woman as the grandmother to your children. Great Grandmother to your grandchildren. Joan took immense pride in all of the dimensions of her family; most especially in her role as grandmother.

Joan loved her boys. They looked forward to every Sunday morning breakfast, because it was always followed by shopping. Usually they would come home with things their parents wouldn't allow them to have like water guns which fit easily in the car, or a giant swing set that hindered Joan's ability to take proper left turns as it was sticking so far out of the back of the vehicle.

She loved to give. Her first stop after the bank was ALWAYS Giant Tiger. The GT Boutique will really miss Joan as they could always guarantee a few bags full of sales when she stopped in. Gift giving at Christmas was always an interesting affair - the family could hardly wait to see what gems would be wrapped up. It could be a Mr Bean hat or t-shirt or maybe a glowing dolphin light. Either way, she gave with love and she just wanted to see you smile.

She was definitely proud of her grandsons. Following in her footsteps, the topic of education was always on the table and she was more than willing to use her connections to help them get into the Waterloo Region Board of Education; although she hadn't worked there for 25 years and likely didn’t know a single person left.

In a grandmother's eyes, shines three generations of love. In Joan’s eyes shone four generations of love.

Joan was outgoing and funny, just ask anyone who has seen her YMCA routine. She was thrifty when she painted her shoes to match her dress and unapologetic when the rain washed the color away. She was loving and devoted and generous and kind. Take comfort in knowing that she spent the time she needed with you in the physical world. She prepared you with all of the love and the skills she felt you needed and she came to know that you are all prepared to walk forward in your own lives as HER strong, kind, independent family unit.

She knew what a wonderful man her son had become and the amazing family he has created and she knew that she was needed no more. She knew that each and every one of you had the tools you need to navigate the game of life with perseverance and drive and with love and honor. She knew she had equipped you with enough love to carry on in this earthly world and she was proud and satisfied with the plentiful life she lived.

You have become the people you are in part because of the gifts Joan gave you. The gifts of time and understanding, humor, support and memory. You will not be able to see or touch Joan in the physical world any longer, but these are just a few of our senses. If you open your hearts to allow her soul to be with you, you can invite her to wrap her arms around you when you are afraid, blanket you with her love when you are sad and give you courage when you feel weak. The imprint of our loved ones souls is as permanent as the family you are a part of. Joan leaves behind a beautiful family that will continue to grow and remember to take time for each other, listen to each other, support each other and raise each other up.

It all started with love, let it continue with love. . Joan will no longer be in your physical world, but the legacy she created lives on in all of you.

In life we live and we learn. We grow and we experience with each breathing moment. Joan was the kind of woman who lived life to its fullest; devoted, loving, supportive and hard working. She believed that each lesson served you in life for a reason and that you should take those moments as gifts and messages about how to lead your life onward. Don't let Joan's name go unspoken, don't let her light fade. Let the family values she planted prosper and grow. Her final comment to Jack, was "Life has been good to me and I am ready to move on to the next chapter" She lived this life fully and completely and while we feel sadness for that missing piece in our lives, we must also feel joy for the time we were gifted.

We will close our time together with the 23rd Psalm - the psalm of comfort that has been read through the ages to bring solace to those whose hearts are broken. Allow this to be our final prayer, our whisper to heaven and our wish for a gentle journey for Joan. Then I invite you to take your time saying your own personal goodbyes, and please join the family in the Heritage room at the front of the building for a reception, to share thoughts and stories, to enjoy and embrace one another and to find delight and laughter as you reminisce over an ice cream sundae in honor of Joan's love of sweets.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

* * * * * * * * * *

Passed away peacefully at Winston Park Retirement Home on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the age of 79 years. Beloved mother of Jack (Leslie). Loving grandma of Jamie (Sarah), Jeff (Tracy), Joe (Deanna), and Josh (Brittany), and great grandma of Jenna, Lauren, Abbott, and Jackson. Predeceased by her father and mother, George and Olive Wood, and her sister Betty.

Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900), on Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 1:00 – 1:45 pm, where the funeral service will be held in the chapel at 2:00 pm.

As expressions of sympathy, donations would be appreciated to Children’s Wish Foundation, P.O. Box 185, Kitchener, ON N2G 3X9.

Special thanks to the nursing and caregiver staff at Winston Park and the 3rd and 7th Floor Dialysis Unit at Grand River Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion.