The family of (Wanda) Joanne Locke are heartbroken to announce her peaceful passing on Monday, March 3, 2025, surrounded by family and all their love.
Mom was born in Frankville, ON as the second of five children, to Kathleen and Ronald McBain. She contracted polio at a young age, and was saved by vaccines and the iron lung, along with her younger sister Darlene.
Joanne began a nursing career in Smiths Falls, caring for seriously handicapped children and shared many stories of their antics and her experiences. She married John (Jack) Locke, and together they welcomed three children in the next three years. Life was very busy for the young couple, moving from the Ottawa area to Calgary, onward to Toronto, then finally settling in Thunder Bay. She continued in the nursing field for a number of years, then moved to sales of fine jewelry at Keith Willis Jewellers, before starting in the bookstore at Confederation College, where she remained as a purchasing agent, until her early retirement as result of her ongoing challenges with Post Polio Syndrome.
Joanne enjoyed many years of world travel, first with her husband, then with her daughter, Sherri and grand-daughter, Jacqueline. Together they saw the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, South America, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and everywhere in between. Life was exciting and great throughout those many years.
She led a life of service throughout her working career, as well as with her many volunteer positions, continuing until her passing. She enjoyed her positions within the ladies auxiliary of Kakabeka Legion, then moving into the main legion executive. Following her legion involvement, she took on multiple roles within the Board of Directors of Legion Park Housing. More recently, she volunteered with the early Breast Cancer Support Group, Canadian Cancer Society, March of Dimes, and the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre. She slowed down just a little when she suddenly lost her sight, but was back at her posts within a very short time.
Her many years of volunteering earned her the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee medal, of which she was particularly proud. However, her proudest accomplishment was her immediate and extended family.
Joanne is survived by sons, Patrick (Theresa), and Richard, daughter, Sherri (Wally); grandchildren, Cody, Skylar (Ami), Zachary (Michelle), Ava, Sarah, Parker (Kelly), and Jacqueline (Andreas); and great-grandchildren, Hayden and Amelia. Sisters, Veronica Galway, and Darlene McBain-Howard are also left to mourn their older sister’s passing. Her pillow companion, big boy Max [the pussycat] will miss her tremendously, but will be well cared for with his many feline brothers and sisters.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 1999, mother, Kay; father, Ronald; brother John, a brother in infancy; brother-in-law, Barry; multiple aunts (her substitute mom, Aunt Marion), and uncles; and many close friends.
Mom leaves a legacy of volunteerism, and strength in the face of many health hurdles. When she was told she had 4 months to live, 5 years ago, she decided that she wasn’t quite finished yet and went on to live her life. She was quite excited when she started completing jigsaw puzzles after she was deemed legally blind, then renewing her driver’s licence just a year ago – although, she did not continue to drive!
The last few months have definitely been an ongoing struggle for mom, but she faced every day with poise and grace, never leaving her home looking anything other than polished and completely put together. She will be remembered by her volunteer co-workers as welcoming, cheerful, well dressed, and stylish to the end.
For those of you who know the pain of losing their mom, I recognize the devastation. For those of you who are still able to share a coffee, tea, or a glass of wine with your mom, cherish these moments and never forget to remind her just how great she is!
Although our days of hugging mom goodbye after a great dinner or excursion, have ended, we have years of memories to provide solace and to guide us through the difficult times ahead. There is no love like a mom’s love!
Funeral services for Wanda will be held on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James, with Rev. Deacon Pasquale Coccimiglio officiating. Private interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens at a later date. Visitation for friends will be Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Westfort Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne’s memory may be made to the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre.
