FRANCES (JOAN) STEVENSON

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Frances Joan Stevenson, known to all as Joan, on June 23, 2026.

Joan grew up on a farm near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, a place that remained close to her heart throughout her life. After graduating from high school, she attended teachers' college at the University of Regina before moving to Winnipeg in 1967. She devoted more than forty years to education as a teacher and later as a reading clinician. Joan found great purpose in helping children learn and grow, touching the lives of countless students with her patience, encouragement, and gentle spirit.

One of Joan’s great joys was becoming the mother of three children, Dale, Don, and Lindsay, during her marriage to Brian Stevenson. Later, she met the love of her life, Clark Brownlee. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, family, and lasting friendships.

Joan’s love of music started at an early age. Her parents hosted many gatherings at the farm, where her dad would play banjo and fiddle, and family friends would play together filling the home with music and friendship. She loved playing the piano and was an active member of Village Green's Fine Companions for more than thirty years, where she found not only the joy of making music but also cherished friendships that lasted a lifetime. Her children also treasure the memories of music in the home with band practices in the living room.

Faith and community and service to others were at the heart of Joan's life. A devoted member of St. Andrew's United Church, she served in many leadership roles over the years and sang in the choir for decades. She believed deeply in giving back and quietly enriched the lives of others through her generosity, compassion, and willingness to lend a hand. Many folks expressed that she made them feel welcome. She loved people for who they were and fostered a sense of community. Joan volunteered with the Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians and Meals on Wheels Winnipeg. She valued the friendships she made and the opportunity to care for members of her community.

Joan and Clark opened their homes to many people over the years. They loved to host, and embodied “the more the merrier” spirit, inviting many people to join for family dinners, especially at holidays. Joan wanted to make sure people who might be lonely would be feel welcome at their home. Countless international exchange students, refugees, and others who needed a temporary place to call home stayed at their place, and they loved the chance to “armchair travel” hearing stories about other countries. Joan and Clark did some travelling of their own to Guatemala, Cuba, France, Newfoundland and driving to Alaska, as well as hiking in the Rockies with good friends. Of course, she always loved to return to her hometown and visit with family in Saskatchewan.

Joan will be remembered for her warm heart, gentle nature, and remarkable gift for making people feel welcome. She loved gathering around the table with family and friends, sharing good food, laughter, and conversation. She had a great sense of humour, and remarked that she wanted to be remembered as “kind, caring, funny… and maybe a little bit intelligent.”’ Her greatest joy, however, was being "Grandma." She delighted in every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, taking immense pride in their accomplishments and finding happiness simply in watching them grow into the people they were becoming.

Joan leaves behind her beloved husband, Clark Brownlee; her sister, Marilyn Hill (Bob); and her children, Dale (Janet), Don (Renice), and Lindsay (Ian). Her marriage to Clark brought together two families, and she valued the close relationships she shared with his children, Ross (Heidi), Kevin (Myra), and Meredith. She was a proud grandmother to Meghan, Ian, Corbin, Ellis, and Lily, whose lives brought her immeasurable joy. She will also be fondly remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Elsie (née Schleger) Fitzsimmons of Lumsden, Saskatchewan; her sister, Marjorie Wills; and her brothers, Robert Fitzsimmons (Sharon) and Don Fitzsimmons.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all the visitors Joan had over the last few months, as well the staff at The Wellington, St. Boniface Hospital, and Riverview Health Centre for the compassionate care, kindness, and comfort they provided during Joan's final months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation, a cause that reflected Joan's lifelong passion for helping children learn and thrive.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's United Church, 255 Oak Street, Winnipeg.

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