1932 - 2023
The family of Joan announce her passing on
August 23, 2023. She was born in Calgary and
was raised in Royalties, a small oil boom town
north of Longview that no longer exists. She
was the youngest of 3 girls and was raised in a
loving supportive family. She attended business
College in Calgary and married Harvey Howes
in 1953. The family moved to Carstairs in 1960.
This was the start of her extensive volunteer life.
She started as a leader for CGIT and expanded
her volunteerism as the children grew. Joan was
very busy raising 3 kids, camping most spring
and summer weekends and as they grew so
did her volunteering. Cubs (Bagheera), Guides
(leader and eventually District Commissioner),
secretary for the Recreation Board, managed
the kitchen/commissary at the skating rink,
IODE, and more we can’t recall. Carstairs would
have been a lesser place for the lack of Joan’s
energy, drive and open friendliness.
In 1985 Harvey received early retirement and
they started spending some winter time in
Yuma, Arizona. Summers on the West Coast at
Deep Bay where Dad fished. The view out the
front window of their motorhome could knock
your eyes out.
They lost their son Lorne to cancer in 1988 and
that left a hole in Joan’s heart. Joan and Harvey
lived in their own home until 2017, moved into
Chinook Winds care home in Carstairs and then
moved to Bethany Didsbury while dealing with
Covid realities. Unfortunately, Joan slipped into
dementia in the last few years of her life.
Joan is survived by her husband Harvey, Son
Randy (Cathy), Daughter Sandy, Grandchildren:
Shane (Laura), Dustin (Kelsey), Brandon and
Lauren. Great grand children: Jace, Owen, Liam
and Maddix.
She experienced a full, loving life and has
touched many lives over the years. We would
like to thank both care facilities for the loving,
caring support Mom received.
A celebration will be held at a later date.
