BEVERLEY “JOAN” MACMILLAN

Though death may steal you 

from our arms, nothing can 

take you from our hearts.

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Joan MacMillan on October 18, 2024, at River East Personal Care Home.

Joan is lovingly remembered by Tammy (Tim) - grandsons Tristan and Trenton, Laura (Bob) - granddaughters Kayleigh (Jamie), Shaylene (Dale), Tom (Safa), Sandy (Joe) - grandsons Michael (Mary-Lou), Stephen (Emina) and granddaughter Mara (Mark) as well as nine great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Ken MacMillan, her parents, Vena and Michael Reuther, her nine brothers and sisters, amongst whom was her beloved twin sister, Mamie Fraser.

Joan was born and raised in Winnipeg. She met and married her first husband Albert Bialek in 1955 and raised their four children in the Windsor Park neighbourhood of Winnipeg.

In addition to raising her children, Joan held a number of administrative positions throughout the years, but what she really wanted to be was a nurse. Once her children were older, she took steps towards achieving her lifelong dream when she was in her 50’s. She was awarded her Grade 12 High School Equivalency Diploma in June,1974 and was then accepted into a nursing program and achieved her goal of getting her LPN licence.

Joan lived life to the fullest and wasn’t one to sit still. She worked in several capacities as a nurse, including working in Churchill, Manitoba for a time and then returned to Winnipeg where she continued to work full-time until her early 80’s when she finally retired.

Joan met and married her second husband, Ken MacMillan in 1995 and they too resided in Winnipeg until Ken’s passing in 2015. They bought a home in Transcona on Brewster Bay and with Ken’s farming expertise they enjoyed gardening and preserving their bountiful crop of tomatoes and cucumbers each year. They also enjoyed travelling and spending as much time as possible with family and grandkids.

Joan also loved to knit, cook and to bake - especially her butter tarts and pies. She was always up for a party and frequently entertained family and friends by baking not one or two pies for the holidays but at least a half dozen different kinds of mouth-watering pies.

In addition, Joan will be remembered for her love of sports. She especially enjoyed watching “her boys” as she called them, from the Toronto Blue Jays and the Winnipeg Jets play baseball and hockey. Her jeers and cheers were infamous and she frequently rehashed post-game details with her hairdresser Deborah, who always made sure Mom looked fabulous.

What a beautiful difference one life made. Another of Joan’s passions was helping others less fortunate which she was able to do while enjoying her love of travelling the world doing International Mission work. Her involvement in Christian ministries saw Joan travel to Africa twice, Myanmar and Thailand with Pastor Rod from Tabor Baptist Church. She even rode a camel in Egypt and held a tiger in Thailand.

For the past couple of years Joan resided at River East PCH. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone at River East for their kindness and support. Everyone from the custodians, Life Enrichment staff and kitchen staff to the wonderful Nurses and Homecare Aides made Joan feel at home.

The family also wishes to thank Maria and Karanjit for providing exceptional physiotherapy services to Joan. Without question they helped to keep our Mom mobile for most of her stay at River East.

While at River East Joan danced when she felt like dancing, shared laughter and jokes with staff and met and hung out with her very dear friend Phyllis who always brightened her days.

Joan was always busy doing, giving, helping, teaching, showing up, loving and caring for others. She was without question a force of to be reckoned with and you could never underestimate what she was capable of achieving at 93 years young.

Joan,

Nana, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, and Mom, 

There has never been anyone like you in the world. You will live on in the hearts and minds of those you left behind.

We love you forever and always.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road (Unitarian Church).

Joan’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.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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