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BORN
1928
DIED
2019
Joan Birkland Obituary
November 17, 1928 - June 15, 2019
Joan passed away June 15 following a brief illness. She was a Denver native, a gifted natural athlete with a strong competitive spirit, a true lover of sports and an avid CU Buff. Along with amassing numerous trophies in golf and tennis, she developed strong friendships that were the most important to her. As an unflagging advocate for women's sports, she served 17 years in volunteer posts with the USGA and was a co-founder of Sportswomen of Colorado and its Executive Director for 40 years. Joan was a member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame. Joan was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Ormand Birkland, and her sister, Carol Tempest. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn McLagan and her brother-in-law Neil McLagan, nephew Hugh Birkland, of Richmond Virginia, and was cherished "Aunt Jo" to niece Tracy Tempest and nephews George Tempest, Scott McLagan, Tom McLagan, and Ken McLagan and their families. Private family interment service at Fairmount Cemetery. A celebration of Joan's life will be held at a later date. If wished contributions may be made to Sportswomen of Colorado, Dumb Friends League, or a charity of choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joan Birkland
Sponsored by The Denver Post.
Lynn Zmistowski
June 13, 2023
I miss Joanie and I will miss her for the rest of my life. Joanie did so much for me and I love her for just being so confident in me. I have lots of pictures of us... and I always "pause" when one pops up on my computer.
Lynn Zmistowski
June 13, 2022
I feel extremely honored that I was in Joanie's circle of friends. She was my friend and mentor from the day I met Joanie on the 1st hole of Denver CC playing in the Colorado State Amateur in 1971. As we walked down the fairways Joanie said to me, "who are you and where did you come from?".... Joanie was always so fun and so direct,... we spent the next 17 holes getting to know each other and on #17 near the green I said, "how does our match stand", Joanie responded, "your 1 down". Like I said, she was "direct".... and I loved that about her. We ended in a play-off and I hit a 7 iron to the left, the bal hit a tree and bounced not only "on the green" but also close to the hole. She said, "you lucky dog". Picture of best friends... Lynn, Joanie, Katie Fiorella.
June 23, 2019
My condolences to Joan's family and friends. She was a giant in women's sports. I met her just once and she was self-effacing and very kind. Barb Holland
marsha berger
June 21, 2019
Know that I am thinking of you and those you love at this sad passing of your sister, Evelyn. It is never timely to lose one so special.
Joanie 90th Birthday
Lynn Zmistowski
June 20, 2019
Joanie lived such a beautiful life. Joanie was "the one" that got me involved in "giving back" to the game of golf. She was the reason I was Girl's Jr. America's Captain, the reason I was on the CWGA course rating committe (which turned out to be 30 years), the reason I was on the USGA Handicap Procedure Committee (which turned out to be over 25 years), she introduced me at the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, I was even given an award from the Sportswoman of Colorado....So, that saying, I wouldn't be me, if it weren't for Joanie Birkland always believing in me. She always seemed to know just where I would fit. We met on the 1st tee at Denver CC to play a match against each other in 1971. AT the end of that round we knew each other well enough that she called me "a little sh*t" after I made a very curling 6' downhill putt to carry our match to a play-off. She only called her best friends names like that. I am sure Joanie impacted others lives as much as she impacted mine.
Nancy McCloskey
June 20, 2019
The world was truly a brighter place with you in it. We will all miss The Legend and how she enhanced our lives. Rest In Peace, kid!
June 20, 2019
The world was a brighter place with you in it. We will all miss The Legend and how she enhanced our lives. Rest in Peace/
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