JOAN THERESA MASTERS

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother (Nanny), great grandmother, aunt and friend on September 28, 2022, at the age of 93. Her death represents the end of a generation for the Gange family of Bristol, England.

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Mom will be greatly missed by her children, daughter Debbie Thibault, son Bruce Masters , daughter Kim Girden and Rick, daughter Sandie Masters and Pernell Johston, son Curtis Masters and Christina, her grandchildren Heather and Todd Friday, Luke and Christina Thibault, Graham and Tanya Thibault, Mark and Jessica Thibault, Shanlee and Chad Kasson, Matt and Jodi Girden, Kaileigh and Brad Bowe, Brenden Masters and Taylor Kelley, Kiera-Marie and Nick Frydrychowski, Kirsten Masters and Joshua Masters, fifteen great grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Joan is also survived by her sister-in-law Marjorie Rock.

Mom was predeceased by her loving husband Gordon Masters, her infant daughter Jodie, her parents William and Elsie Gange, her brothers William, Jack, Norman and Kenneth, her son-in-law Roger Thibault, daughter-in-law Cathy Masters, sisters-in-law Doris Gange, Marilyn Gange, Frances Gange, Eileen Little, Eleanor Elmer, brothers-in-law Richard Little, Orville Elmer and David Rock.

Mom was born in Winnipeg on September 24, 1929 where she attended St. Edward ‘s Catholic School and St. Mary’s Academy. Mom and her family led lives centered around the community of St Edward’s Parish with music being at the heart of their service.  Mom and dad met growing up in the west-end of Winnipeg where they made many friends through their love of and involvement in sports. Mom’s love for sport began by following dad from football fields to baseball diamonds and hockey rinks then eventually to curling rinks where they made lifelong friends and memories. She and dad were Bomber season ticket holders for many years and she spent many hours near the end of her life watching college football and cheering on Manitoban and Canadian teams in curling. She was a member of both Shapes on Pembina and Good Life Fitness for many years making many friends with her outgoing nature and her sense of humour.

After their marriage in 1955, mom and dad moved to Fort Garry. While dad spent his career working at MTS, mom spent hers raising their family. She was a wonderful cook, kept the cookie jars full of homemade goodies, was the gracious hostess of many family-filled Sunday dinners, with prime rib being her specialty. Summers were spent at the family cottage at Grand Beach and in later years on the Lee River. In 1982 dad took a job in Ottawa where the family lived for 5 years before returning to Winnipeg and living in Fort Richmond. Mom and dad also enjoyed travelling in their motor home and after dad passed mom travelled to visit her kids scattered all across Canada and the States.

Perhaps the greatest legacy left to us by this strong, courageous and spunky little lady is how to persevere, power through and never give up. Mom faced so many challenges in her lifetime that she rose above and overcame. She suffered a stroke in 2013 that she worked tirelessly to bring herself back from and met a community of friends and supporters along the way. She was strong-willed, determined and a force to reckon with when she set her mind to something. She lived for several years at the Brightwater where she was deeply loved and cared for. In her final days she was a member of the Simkin Centre Community where she was offered gentle care and loved deeply. In the last weeks of her 93 years on this earth, mom began to express a deep desire to go home and see Jesus. As greatly as she will be missed, we take deep comfort in knowing that mom has indeed met her Maker and is reunited with so many beloved family members who have gone before her. Rest in peace sweet mama, you will live on in our hearts forever.

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A Celebration of Joan's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 603 Wellington Crescent. 

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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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