Jo-Anne Balkwill

Jo-Anne was born and raised in Fort Frances and moved to Toronto in September 1969. Don Balkwill and Jo-Anne Perry were married on Halloween Day, October 31, 1970. Jo-Anne would usually travel to Fort Frances yearly to visit family

After a diagnosis of Lung Cancer in January 2025 Jo-Anne declined Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments. She wanted to die with dignity. She opted for the M.A.I.D. (Medical Assistance In Dying) program. She got approved for this program and the procedure was performed November 15, 2025, in our downtown Toronto condo home.

Jo-Anne is survived by her husband Don Balkwill in Toronto and sister Kathy Perry in Fort Frances; also survived by her favourite cousins Micaela Jensen, Dianne Revus and Linda Flemming all of the Fort Frances area; also survived by her cousin Shirley Lapp in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Jo-Anne was preceded by her late brother’s Ross Perry and Ernie Perry; as well her parents Stan Perry and Mae Perry.

Jo-Anne worked for The Hudson Bay Company in Toronto for 36 years. She worked in Music and Video and Children’s Wear and Toys and ran the Christmas Shop for the Bay.

Over our 55 years of Marriage Jo-Anne and I had many cats which she adored. Her last words to me were “I love you and take care of the Cat.”

~ Don Balkwill