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Joan GROOTHUYSEN
Joan GROOTHUYSEN
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Joan GROOTHUYSEN Obituary
Ottawa, September 6, 1957 –
Edmonton, May 7, 2018
Joan was an Olympian, in achievement and in spirit. She was a world-class Nordic skier who represented Canada at Innsbruck (1976), Lake Placid (1980), and at numerous World Cups and World Championships. But she defined herself through her relationships, lovingly. She trained, competed and took on the many challenges in her life with unyielding determination. But she was gentle and gracious with loved ones and casual friends alike.
She embodied the Olympic motto – "faster, higher, stronger" – but rarely talked about her brilliant athletic career. She excelled at everything else she did too: orthodontic technician, home renovator and seamstress, textile and jewelry artisan. But she made everyone around her feel better about themselves. She was quiet, and somewhat private, but shared of herself willingly and was loved and admired by many.
Cancer took her down hard and fast, even though she lived a simple and healthy life. She suffered, but continued bravely, striving each day to the end to be a better person. If you're ever on the trails around Edmonton, and you see a "train" of skiers pushing hard, think of Joan, because they're chasing her spirit. She was an Olympian!
Join her loving community to celebrate her amazing life, Monday, May 14, 3:00 p.m. South Side Memorial Chapel, 8310-104 St., Edmonton.
To sign the book of condolences and to share memories, please visit
www.southsidememorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
20 Entries
Angus McDonald
November 6, 2020
I met Joan and her partner back in 1991 when she came to Prince George to race in our local summer triathlon and we both won, plus we won the trip to Roth Germany for the Ironman in 1992. She was an amazing and very talented athlete for both winter and summer sports. I only found out about her passing this summer (2020) so this is a very belated gift to her passing, and just to let others know how she inspired so many upcoming athletes and showed how humble she was, but yet so talented had had a wonderful spirit for life.
Terry D. Carlyle
August 7, 2018
Sad to hear this and much after she passed away. I was checking out another obituary and saw Joan's notice. I had not heard of her battle with cancer. Joan was a valued member of our orthodontic team for a few years. Talented, hard working and diligent and willing to learn new things. She loved to talk of her skiing and her training programs and was so dedicated in what she did. Condolences to her family and friends from Strathcona Orthodontics.
Jarl Groothuysen
May 25, 2018
https://youtu.be/rLOVbvl9qB4
I will miss you Aunt Joan
Petra Groothuysen
May 18, 2018
Joan and I met on FB, she and I have the same surname. We came to understand that we were related! RIP dear Joan
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May 17, 2018
I wantto express my condolences to Joan's family and all the friends who were dear to her. Joan was my neighbour for 25 years. She was one of the most decent human beings I have ever known. Over the years we shared many pots of tea, a bottle of wine or two, and our life stories. Living beside her house is hard now. I don't know when I will stop expecting her tocome through my back gate and into my kitchen. I don't know if there is an afteerlife, but if anyone ever deserved a good one, it was Joan, and I hope she has found it.
Ida
May 16, 2018
1974 training on the tundra
RIP Joan
Kathy Sinclair
May 15, 2018
I had the pleasure of meeting Joan while attending NAIT. We were on the Cross Country Ski Team together. I was honored and humbled racing with her. I was new to the sport and Joan and our coaches Frank and John showed me the way...We remained friends for 34 years and I will always remember her kind and gentle spirit, her giggle, her creativity and our long conversations. She was a gem and I will think of her often and fondly. I loved her immensely and will miss her dearly.
Fred/Barbara Kozin
May 14, 2018
Ed,Daile,Jarl,Joe and family. So sorry to hear of your sister/aunts passing. Know that we are thinking of you all at this sad time. May God be your comfort and strength.
alex &sharon Fersovitch
May 14, 2018
Our sincere condolences to Ed and Dail in their loss of a much loved sister , to Jarl and Joe in their loss of a beloved aunt.
Dail Russell Groothuysen
May 12, 2018
Joan was my sister in law and brother to Ed Groothuysen of Bonnyville . She was also aunt to Jarl and Joseph . Her parents were Betty and Gerri Groothuysen . She had 5 grand children , who loved to hug her when she visited . Joan celebrated Christmas with us every year - Christmas will never be the same . Joan and I would do trade shows , to sell her amazing jewellery . We loved Joan ! We know she is in a better place , making the angels cross country ski with her . I envied Joan's talents - as there was nothing she couldn't do . Her brother Ed is devestated with this loss - she meant everything to him and I am sure she felt the same . 17 days wasn't long enough - we thought we had more time ... Rest In Peace Joan we will think of you every day !
nancy Burden
May 12, 2018
I have too many thoughts about Joan to make this a brief entry:
For someone who achieved such outstanding success in sports and physical pursuits, to me Joan's qualities as a human being far outweighed her medal collection.
As ruthless as she could be when someone tried to break her in a race, or when a finish line was looming, away from that environment Joan seemed devoid of any competitiveness. For sure she loved challenges, but not at the expense of others. She truly never seemed to have an ulterior motive such a rare quality. She simply enjoyed people, finding interest and value in all walks. Status meant little to her and she wasn't fooled by it. Joan looked for the good in all of us, sometimes when we didn't deserve it. She lived a life utterly without malice.
Joan was also forgiving, recognizing finding common ground in broken relationships was more important than always being right, and in that, she so often brought out the best in us. This was so evident to me in her last days when people were coming to see her. Despite the tremendous sadness as we watched her form suffer the ravages of disease, her aura remained. The room was always full of kindness, often with gentle humor, and above all goodness. As she had been such a good person in life to the full extent of that expression it was the very least we could do for her.
Her kindness extended beyond the human circle too. Over the years, many kitties, some of them a bit past their due date, found a loving home with Joan. If something had a beating heart, in Joan's mind, it deserved a chance.
She was an incredibly generous person despite often having limited means. It was not unusual for her to give people some clever piece of apparel or an accessory, because she thought it would be useful to them. And everything was made by her own hands of course, which also meant she had taken the time to think of us and our needs, not hers. In this, she was so tremendously skilled and creative. Whether it was making jewelry, teaching people how to change out a toilet (Bryon!) or building a garage, no task seemed out of her milieu.
And of course no conversation of Joan can happen without the discussion of creative clothing. I would hazard to guess that there are countless people who in some way have been dressed by Joan. Such was her expertise at all crafty things, particularly sewing. Joan made my first ski suit, and numerous ones after. As is true of so many, over the years my wardrobe saw a wide array of Joan's lycra, fleece and wool products, always colourful and coordinated. And when I had to sport a huge cast on my hand after surgery a hassle to fit in sleeves especially in the winter it was Joan to the rescue, who doctored some of my clothing to get me by.
Joan was way ahead of the sports design curve, knowing through years of personal experience exactly what was practical. Cover mitts until my gloved fingers would warm up or ear-bands when toques were too warm. Customized Birkie race bibs to carry food, vests with back pockets for waxes, and form-fitted ski pole straps were just a few of her creations. I swear Joan was the reason that two-piece ski suits became the norm, recognizing that the delicate process of a last minute pre-race pee was too revealing in the old one-piece numbers.
Ah yes, and then there was the treasured and much sought after leopard skin ski suit. When Joan made these suits for a few of us girls, it really spoke to me. It said let's not be afraid to go out there and mix it up, but be a bit irreverent; to have humor and perspective about life, while remembering that the racing didn't matter nearly so much as the people we were afterwards. She seemed to find that tenuous balance.
Just a few weeks ago a colleague of mine mentioned that he had come across one of Joan's custom made ski holders at Goldbar Park. He knew, like a trademark, it was one of hers, and couldn't resist taking it home. I found that so comforting knowing these reminders of her will continue to pop up, keeping her close.
Joan attracted a wide and varied circle of friends spread across our nation, from Ottawa to Kimberley, the arctic to Edmonton. She truly left this earth a better place by her having been here. She was very loved, and will be very missed.
Nadia Sgarbossa
May 11, 2018
Old neighbors, childhood friends-friends to eternity. Until we meet again..So sorry to hear of Joan's passing. Condolences to all her family and friends
Bill Thompson
May 11, 2018
Glide easy Joan. Have never forgotten a late spring sunny afternoon of skiing with Joan and others and the bison in Elk Island Park.
Ger Groothuijsen
May 11, 2018
We will remember Joan as a friendly, caring person. Sadness prevails now, but fond memories will remain. Condolences from Ger, Joke and Tjeu.
John Becks
May 11, 2018
So sorry to learn of Joan's passing. Much too soon...
Condolences from Ginette, John and Stephanie Becks and from John Becks Sr(Ome Jo)
Bob Schilf
May 11, 2018
It was always such a pleasure to visit with Joan when she came into the store.
Jack Macki
May 11, 2018
It was such an honour to know this outstanding athlete who was also such a warm, caring human being. She was an inspiration to us all.
Jim & Fidelma Muldowney
May 11, 2018
Joan was a lovely gentle lady who brought a little joy to everyone she encountered. Her skiing accomplishments left us all full of admiration and awe. She was a special inspiration for young children in the Jackrabbits. Regrettably we will not be here for this important memorial,
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8310 - 104th St, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E8
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