
Joanne Inglis




JOANNE MARIE INGLIS
May 23, 1954 – September 18, 2024
Joanne Inglis was born May 23, 1954 and died on September 18, 2024 at the Simkin Centre after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the first of four children born to Lawson and Barbara Inglis. At the time she was born the Inglis family lived in a modest house in Fort Garry. Her mother's father was a bank clerk and her mother a teacher. Her grandfather Robert was a master tailor from Montreal who became prosperous and lived on Elm Street. Joanne’s father Lawson, whom Joanne adored, began work helping his father but soon went into business for himself. As these years were golden, economically, and Lawson was extremely capable and entrepreneurial, he was quite successful and the family moved into a big house on South Drive.
Joanne was raised in comfort and helped her mother raise her three brothers. She went to primary school and then Vincent Massey High School. The family was Catholic and Joanne was catechized but as she recounted, she soon abandoned her religious faith. Religion played little role although holidays were big family occasions. Joanne loved family gatherings and especially Christmas time. She was very devoted to her family.
As it happened, Joanne was beautiful and had many boyfriends and suitors. But what was outstanding about her was her amazing personality. She was incredibly open and friendly, generous and upbeat, with a sunny disposition. Matched with her physical beauty and confidence she was in life a powerful combination of classic womanly power.
Joanne graduated from the liberal arts programme at the University of Manitoba majoring in philosophy and then obtained a masters of science in speech pathology at the Utah State University. She instantly took to feminism and would not, for example, think of changing her name when she married.
She loved her profession as a speech therapist at St. Boniface Hospital and later on in the Winnipeg public schools. She especially enjoyed helping children with their speech and was very helpful and supportive of them in the way she worked.
Joanne was extremely well-liked and had many friends. People were attracted to her and she was a loyal and understanding friend. She was anxious to have children of which she had two. She was joyful and happy during her pregnancies and deliberately took care of herself so that her babies would be as healthy as possible. She proved to be a wonderful parent, unbelievably patient and loving. Her marriage to Henry Heller, a professor of history at the University of Manitoba, was a complete love match.
Then Joanne got sick and things unravelled the way they do. A Celebration of her Life will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 603 Wellington Crescent (First Unitarian Universalist Church).
Joanne’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.
ETHICAL DEATH CARE
Cremation & Life Celebrations
530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg
204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com
Memories, Stories and Condolences
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Susan Graham
November 29, 2024 at 12:16 PM
I am so sorry to learn of Joanne’s passing. I extend my deepest sympathy to Joanne’s husband, her children, and her extended family. Joanne and I met in our undergrad days at U of M. We hit it off right away and I loved her vivacious and fun personality. After university we went in different directions, however reconnected again in Winnipeg with play dates when our children were little. As life with young families became hectic, we once again lost touch, but then reconnected when both of us worked for Child Guidance Clinic, albeit in different areas of the city. After we moved to southern Ontario in the mid 90’s we lost touch again, however I ran into Joanne walking on Wellington Crescent perhaps a dozen years ago when I was in the city visiting family. We spent a lovely afternoon at her home having tea and chatting. Joanne’s wit and her sunny disposition still shone through. It has always been clear that Joanne’s love for her family was beyond measure. I hope that treasured memories will bring quiet peace at this most difficult time.

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Susan Kerr
November 22, 2024 at 9:49 AM
I am so sorry to hear about Joanne’s passing. Although I didn’t know her well, I do remember meeting her when she was visiting Toronto with her young son. My sister Deborah and I had a nice visit with her while she was here. My young son Graham was also there, I believe it was around 1985 – hard to believe. Sad that we never kept in touch. Please know that we are thinking of all of you during this very difficult time. Susan

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Doug Kerr
October 20, 2024 at 9:56 AM
- We left Winnipeg in 1963 so didn't have much time after that with Joanne. I did however stop at their cottage on my way out west in 1973 and had a wonderful day with her then which I remember vividly because she was so welcoming to my friends and I. I will never forget her warm smile and sunny disposition. My biggest regret is not staying in touch.





Sian Bumsted
October 1, 2024 at 9:36 PM
Joanne bribed me to learn to ride a bike when I was 9 and trusted me to look after her children for many years after. She was one of the very best people and taught me so much about kindness, generosity, and how to be an amazing mother. I still can't believe she'll never meet my daughter, but I think about her (and the whole family) often. Much love and peace to all of you.

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Sandy (Taylor) Luczak
September 30, 2024 at 10:03 PM
My family moved into the house across the back lane from Joanne's family when I was 10 and she was 9. She came over and introduced herself to shy shy me and we forged an amazing friendship that lasted throughout our teens and into our young adulthood. I treasure the memories of those times and am sad that we lost contact when she went to the States. Joanne was a wonderful friend who shared so many aspects of my young life and I will always be grateful for her vibrant spirit that showed me how to really enjoy life.

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Marianne and Don Nolin
September 28, 2024 at 10:14 AM
My husband was part of the evening adult speech pathology group program at St.Boniface Hospital back in 1977. That program lead by Joanne and Allison Baird was a life changer. He participated in the program for over 4 years. It left him with life long skills such that no one would know he ever had a stutter. Joanne's calm demeanour her bubbly personality her dedication and her sincere interest in her clients are what made the difference. In all these years since therapy Don thought of her often and how I wished she would have seen the difference she made in Don's life, our life. Thank you Joanne ❤️

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Allison Baird
September 26, 2024 at 1:03 PM
We have missed JoAnne so much over these years of illness.. I started in Speech Pathology with her at St Boniface Hospital and she was a great resource and mentor: incredibly smart, organized and articulate, the funniest and wittiest person I have known, loving, loyal and dedicated to family and friends. At that time, she worked with adults and her clients thought she was wonderful as well. It meant a lot to her to do a good job in that role. After hours, it was common for our group to meet for coffee and enjoy cheesecake together in Osborne Village. Joanne entertained us with stories of family and work life and helped us understand our shared situations. She was an exceptional person.

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