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Barbara MILLER Obituary
Barbara "Joan" Miller (nee Kerr) passed peacefully on Friday, January 4, 2013, in Calgary surrounded by her family after a courageous journey with cancer. Joan was born March 7, 1953 in Watrous, SK. She was predeceased by her grandparents William (Bill) Irvine and Isabel (Woodland) Irvine and Homer and Elizabeth (Wilson) Kerr as well as her father Edward John Kerr in 1983. Joan is survived by her mother Elizabeth (Betty) I. Kerr (Irvine); her best friend and loving husband of 37 years, Reg W. Miller; son Kevin Miller (Dorlisa Lam); daughter Heather Miller; siblings, William (Bill) Kerr (Pam Chase) of Calgary and Ellen (Kerr) McClughan (Neil) of Regina; mother-in-law Yvonne E. Miller (nee Aumack) of Trail, BC; brothers-in-law Hugh Miller (Gail Gabana) of Trail, BC; Gordon Miller (Kathy Hudspith) of Victoria, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Joan grew up on the PFRA pasture at Hatfield near Nokomis, SK. The eldest of three children, Joan graduated in Nokomis, and obtained her Diploma in Biological Sciences in Saskatoon. She met her soul- mate and married Reg July 5, 1975 and moved to Calgary where their two children were born. Joan worked at the University of Calgary for 34 years in the Medical Research labs, and retired in 2009. Joan was a genetic genealogist who used DNA technology and social media to complement traditional research. She was involved in various genealogy societies and kept a top-rated blog. Joan was named a Distinguished Toastmaster, loved to travel and led an active life. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. The family would like to thank the staff at Tom Baker Cancer Centre for the incredible care and compassion they showed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kiva - Genealogist for Families Project (http://www.kiva.org/team/genealogists). A Celebration of Life Service for Joan will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Thornhill Baptist Church, 128 Tache Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca. FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM. Telephone: 403-297-0888. Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial.
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30 Entries
Geetha Nicodemus
January 22, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Joan's family - though I have not met her, I have heard of her good work from her toastmaster friends who miss her. May her soul Rest in Peace
Dale Smith
January 18, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan's family at this difficult time.
Dale and Joyce Smith and Families
Lynn Johnston
January 17, 2013
My deepest sympathy to all of the family at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Best wishes from the Berry family.
January 12, 2013
To Reg and family. I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. I always remember meeting her at Toastmasters events with a beautiful, friendly smile. Her contributions to Toastmasters have been greatly appreciated. May your fond and happy times help you through this very sad time.
Hugs, Peggy and Bob Gibennus
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January 11, 2013
We are richer for having known Joan as a dear friend. During the 25 years of our friendship with Joan and Reg we have enjoyed our many common adventures in our lives. She was a very vibrant, take charge kind of woman and she lived life to the fullest and we were always glad to hear about their many adventures.
We are very sorry that she had to leave her family too soon, but we hope you will find peace in the fact that she had a very fulfilling life.
We send you strength and warmth in your time of need.
Henri & Lynn Kooperberg and family
January 11, 2013
Dear Betty and Family
We send our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time
David Kerr
Lorene Keer
Waterford Ontario
January 10, 2013
Reg and family
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Joan. Our sympathies to you all.
Belva & Garry Moodie
Jane Edwards
January 10, 2013
Reg, Kevin and Heather,
I worked with Joan when we were both pregnant with our daughters (bellies bumping at the lab bench). Her intelligence, calm, quiet aura and lively curiosity in so many areas made the lab a fun place to work.
Joan's family was clearly the centre of her world but with all her broad-reaching interests, she will be missed by so many. My condolences to you all.
Laurel Kane Holte
January 10, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Betty and family, my heart and prayers go out to you and all Joan's family.
Doug & Lee Smith
January 10, 2013
Dear Reg & Family;
We were sad to hear of Joan's passing.
Sending you our heartfelt sympathy.
Keeping you all in our prayers at this difficult time. Remembering Joan and her beautiful smile.
Doug & Lee Smith
North Battleford, Sk;
Darlene Davies
January 10, 2013
My condolences to Joan's family and friends. My memories of Joan are of a smiling, intelligent, supportive person who made a difference in many Toastmasters lives. She will be missed.
Laurel Kane Holte
January 10, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Betty and all the families of Joan. My heart and prayers go out to all of you.
The Pointmeiers
January 10, 2013
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Miller Family during this fragile time. Are thoughts are with you.
Wilma Haynes
January 10, 2013
I knew Joan back in the late 70's and early 80's when we both worked in the Teaching Unit at the old General Hospital. I have good memories of those years and remember Joan well. I am deeply saddened to read of her passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to Reg and family.
Kimberly Weaver
January 10, 2013
I know there are never any right words to say when a loved one is lost.
I feel honored that I was given the opportunity to talk with her and help in her work before she retired, and after - even before becoming friends with her son.
She will truly be missed.
January 9, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the Miller and Kerr families .Joan was a pleasure to talk to and meet and she will be dearly missed.Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time.
Fred and Catherine Kerr
Bradford Ontario
BONNIE DEBOER
January 9, 2013
Joan and I have been friends for 40 years. Over the years we have had great times together, gourmet camping trips, card nights and our margarita lunches. My thoughts and love go out to Reg, Heather and Kevin whom she loved dearly. I will miss you my friend.
God Bless
Love Bonnie
Satish Pandya
January 9, 2013
Barb was a wonderful person and inspiration to many Toastmasters and friends. Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
CeCe Moore
January 9, 2013
There are many different kinds of people in the world and Joan was the very best kind. She was so generous and positive and such a loving friend. As a fellow genealogy blogger, I thought it was fitting to dedicate a post to her on my blog, so just in case you haven't seen it, here it is: http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/2013/01/in-loving-memory-of-joan-miller-genetic.html. The entire genealogy community is mourning the great loss of our friend, Joan. My condolences to her family that she loved so much. May you find comfort in knowing how very much she was loved by so many.
January 9, 2013
I was deeply saddened to hear of death of Joan. She was a student in my classes in Nokomis from Jan 1970 to June of 1971. I remember her as a lovely young woman, always smiling, always volunteering to help, always doing her best. It was good to read that she had accomplished much in her relatively short life. The world will be a sadder place without her.
Elaine (Churko) Germain
Aris Doikas
January 9, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the family- she sounded like such an amazing woman. My heart and prayers are with you all at this time.
Anthony Chim
January 9, 2013
Please accept my deepest condolences for this huge loss! Joan had made many differences in many people's lives. Rest in peace my dear karaoke and Toastmaster friend.
Anthony Chim, Calgary, AB
Garry and Anne Poffenroth
January 9, 2013
So very sorry to hear of Joan's passing, Reg. We were your neighbors when Kevin was a child (178 Heston), and knew Joan to be a caring person. Our deepest sympathies to you and your children.
January 9, 2013
Reg and Family.
Our deepesr sympathy to all of you .Joan will certainly be missed Our thouhts and prayers are with you. DON & JEAN SMITH.
January 9, 2013
My condolences to REG AND FAMILY
We will all miss Joan(my niece)she was a very special person. I first meet Joan when she was two days old. She was like one of our Family
George & Marion Schultz
Teresa Scheidl-Yee
January 9, 2013
My deepest condolences to Joan's family, a stronger and braver person I have never known. She will be missed by all who's lives she touched.
Greg Kane
January 9, 2013
My memories of Joan, always smiling always happy.
Sumana Barua
January 9, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We will miss Joan as a vibrant member of the Toastmaster Family.
Sumana Barua
January 8, 2013
Dear Betty & Family,
May you find comfort in the love that surrounds you and fond memories of Joan will keep her close to your hearts.
Thinking of you in sympathy.
Love Peggy and Lynn
Rhys Davies
January 8, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Miller family. Joan was a great team player, during the year we served together as division governors, and a dedicated member of Toastmasters. Further, she was a wonderful friend. You will continue to inspire me, and many others in Toastmasters.
Rhys Davies
Sherwood Park, Alberta
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3220 4th St NW, Calgary, AB T2M3A5
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