WHITEHEAD, JoAnn

WHITEHEAD February 20, 1943 – February 23, 2018

JoAnn Meador Whitehead beloved wife of John B Whitehead passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Alberta on February 23, 2018 surrounded by her family; her world. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and grandmother who was loved, is missed and will always be cherished. JoAnn was born on February 20, 1943 in Emporia, Kansas to Mary Marcella and Lee Roy Meador and enjoyed her childhood years in Wichita, Kansas. In 1963 she met John, a farm boy from Southern Alberta while he was attending Wichita State University. The two fell in love and were married in Claresholm, AB on September 26 1964, JoAnn adored her extended Canadian relatives so much that when they completed their schooling at BYU, she informed him that they were moving to Canada to raise their children and be part of the Whitehead family. They moved from Provo, Utah to Calgary, Alberta in 1967 and finally settled in Lethbridge in 1972. JoAnn never looked back. She loved being surrounded by her new siblings, nieces and nephews as they began to grow their own family. Together JoAnn and John raised 5 children David (Lisa), Noel (Tracey), Jennifer (Mike Harris), Andrea (Brian Knecht), and Patricia (Wade Smith). JoAnn enjoyed the jobs she held over the years as the children grew, but she was most passionate and renowned for her expert sewing skills. She took pride in making all of her children’s clothes and especially loved donning her girls in matching dresses. Over the years she was asked to sew for others, including baby blankets, quilts, machine embroidery projects, and even wedding dresses. When you visited JoAnn, you could be sure to find her in her sewing room working on the latest project. John and JoAnn were fortunate in 1999 to be able to retire and move to their forever home on their acreage in Orton, AB. On the farm they enjoyed the freedom of being out of the city and creating fond memories with family and friends. It was here in front of the stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop that they were most content. With a passion for music and a desire to relive her high school band days, JoAnn joined the Lethbridge Community Band in the late 1980’s and instantly felt at home. For many years, she played clarinet and then bass clarinet in the Gold Band. Enjoying her Lethbridge Community band family, she learned how to play the Oboe and continued to play the new instrument with the Silver Band until her last rehearsal on February 6th. The band was her second family and she will miss rehearsing and performing with them and they with her. JoAnn continues to play music in the hearts of those who have known and loved her. JoAnn’s faith in the LDS Church was important to her and she enjoyed many callings in her life, including Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society. Some of her favorite memories were spending time with her friends and church community members at girls’ camp through the 1970’s and 1980’s. JoAnn was extremely proud to have served on Tuesdays in the Cardston Temple in recent years and wouldn’t miss those days for anything… not even to sew a new dress or practice the Oboe! JoAnn is predeceased by her parents, in-laws George and Melba Whitehead, and sister in-laws Sheila Whitehead and Debra Brauti. She is survived by her husband, her children, numerous cousins, nieces & nephews and her precious grandchildren, John (Stephanie), Darius, Kassidy, Derrick, Tenneson, Ethan, Noah, Ryan and Maizey. Her grandchildren were her heart and joy. There was no denying that. These ten little (and some bigger!) people brought JoAnn her happiest moments and are who she loved the most. Time spent at Grandma’s house was very special, building a life time of cherished memories. JoAnn, it is those moments we thank you for and wish we could have more of. The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FORT MACLEOD CHAPEL, 643 20 St, Fort MacLeod, AB, on March 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Salmon and Sons Funeral Home, 433 Stubb Ross Road South, Lethbridge (entrance to the airport) on Friday March 2, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, or prior to the funeral service on Saturday from 11:30 to 12:45 pm at the church. Thank you to the caring and supporting hospital staff at the Chinook Regional Hospital Unit 4C and to JoAnn’s friends for their love and prayers. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you spend time with your loved ones, spoil your grandchildren and appreciate enduring friendships. JoAnn would have wanted that.

To send a condolence, please visit www.salmonandsons.ca