Joanne Michelle McHugh

April 5, 1976 – October 2, 2025

“Her strength was quiet, her love was immense, her courage unshakable.”

With broken hearts and profound sorrow, the family of Joanne Michelle McHugh announces her peaceful passing on October 2, 2025 at Intercare Chinook Hospice in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 49. She was lovingly surrounded by her family and her cherished fur baby Cherubina.

Joanne was a radiant light in the lives of so many. She leaves behind her devoted spouse, Michael Gaultois; her beloved mother, Sharon McHugh; her dear mother-in-law, Doreen Gaultois; and her cherished children, Kayla Evanenko and Tyler Hickey—her greatest pride and joy. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Sabrina Gaultois; her treasured fur babies, Cherubina and Mater; and a wide circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, and chosen family who will carry her memory in their hearts forever.

She was predeceased by her beloved father, Eugene McHugh, and her cherished cat, Cherub—both of whom she is now lovingly reunited with.

Joanne lived with profound compassion, strength, and generosity. Her love for her family and friends was unwavering, rooted in her strong Newfoundland upbringing and deepened through motherhood. She never lost her connection to home and found lasting peace in memories of the ocean that shaped her spirit.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Joanne enjoyed camping, hiking, skiing, music and dancing, golfing, and traveling. She had a special bond with animals—always nurturing, always protective.

Joanne brought dedication and integrity to her career in HVAC filtration, but a few of her other proudest achievements was the life she rebuilt over the past eight years in recovery. Through a twelve-step program and a deepening relationship with God, she found not only healing but enduring strength. Her faith was a quiet, guiding force—one that sustained her and allowed her to offer compassion, hope, and love to others. She gave back endlessly, always paying it forward.

She also opened her own cleaning company in 2017 and was extremely successful pre- COVID and this was a passion that showed in every job she performed.

Joanne lived with chronic pain from fibromyalgia for as long as she could remember—a daily burden she carried with extraordinary grace and courage. Despite the suffering she faced in silence, she chose joy, love, and purpose. Her strength was not in the absence of pain, but in her determination to live fully in spite of it.

Her kindness touched countless lives. Whether offering a warm hug, a listening ear, or a simple act of service, Joanne gave love freely and fully. She believed deeply in second chances and the power of community.

Among those she held closest was her best friend of eleven years, Lori Ann Brown—her “rock,” who stood by her through every storm and triumph.

Cremation has taken place. Joanne’s ashes will be brought home to Newfoundland and placed into her father’s urn. Once her mother passes and her ashes are added, a burial will take place at Mt. Patricia Cemetery.

There will not be a formal funeral, though a celebration of life may be held at a later date.

In honor of Joanne’s generous heart, she asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of one’s own choice. The greatest tribute to her life is to live with kindness, gratitude, and love, and pay it forward whenever possible.