Jo-Ann passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in her 88th year. Reunited with the love of her life, George, she leaves behind her sons, Richard (Marlene), Lyle (Karen), Russell (Anna), and Blair (Lisa). Grandchildren, Shaun (Crystal), Stephanie (Nathaniel), Sarah, Melina (Julian), Wilson (Celine), Alanna, Mitchell (Emily), Alex (John), and Haley (Taylor). Great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Elias and Ryker.
Predeceased by her parents Stan and Margaret, in-laws Harry and Beatrice, Bert, Jack, Bill, Carol and Dennis.
Jo-Ann is also survived by her siblings, Fred, Loran (Carol), Vicki, Wayne (Barbara) in-laws Ted, Helen, Wilson (Liz), Victor (Sharon), and cherished nieces, nephews and their families.
Jo-Ann was born and raised in Victoria, growing up on Cavendish Avenue in Oak Bay. She attended Willows Elementary School, Oak Bay High School and Sprott Shaw College.
She met her soulmate, George, in 1953 at a community dance in the Union Bay Hall. They were married in 1955 at First United Church in Victoria, BC. She worked for Andrew Sheret Ltd. and Yarrows Shipyard until the birth of her first son and then mastered her career as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Growing up Jo-Ann enjoyed tap dancing at Wynne Shaw Dance Studio and was a member of the Oak Bay Girls Drill Team. She spent many summers at the family property in Sooke.
Mom was a super-fan that attended all of her four sons’ lacrosse and soccer games. Over the years Grandma would go to hundreds of her grandchildren’s sporting events. You would find her in the stands or on the sidelines, regardless of the weather, cheering with her coffee cup in hand. She also proudly attended many of her grandchildren’s graduations.
She was a passionate fan of figure skating, “Stars on Ice” performances, her annual PNE trips and most of all shopping. She had shopping down to an artform and anyone who dared to accompany her knew they would be challenged to keep up. Jo-Ann was always prepared for any birthday, holiday or special occasion. She already had the perfect card and gift. Also, her home was enthusiastically decorated to perfection for every season and holiday.
Her travel highlights included casino bus trips, “Changing of the Leaves/Autumn Colours” across Canada and her trip to Europe with her sister, Vicki.
Jo-Ann had numerous endearing names including “Mother”, Mom, Grandma, OG, Auntie Jo-Ann and Eng. She was also Mrs. Claus to young and old, keeping Santa on schedule Christmas eve.
The Gurney Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mom’s family Drs. Jones, Amundsen and Wang. The loving care and dignity shown by Victoria General Hospital doctors, nurses and staff was extraordinary and sincerely appreciated.
Jo-Ann will be dearly missed by extended family, countless close friends and neighbours. Tributes, if desired, may be made to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life was held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Click the image below to watch a recording of the service.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Barbara Hansen
-
Elinor Whitney-Griffiths I’m sending my deepest sympathy and much love to all the Gurney family. Jo-Ann was a good friend and I miss our telephone chats with her and also your dear ‘George’ (of course) It’s part of life that’s such a great loss when you lose both parents especially when they were so good at it. You are all in my thoughts.
Love Elinor Whitney-Griffiths. xo
-
Patricia Jones Jo-Ann was my classmate at OBHS. She was always cheerful with a friendly smile. We proudly wore our OB drill team white satin with green striped uniforms and along with about 20 team mates marched in the Victoria Day parade.
Meeting again just a few years ago, she just beamed while telling me about her four sons.
My condolences to all the family.
Patti Jones
-
Gene & Jette Denluck Having just arrived home to Read of our Loss of a Very Dear Friend, and at my computer again,
We are now able to send our deepest Condolences to All of JoAnn’s Family , as Large as it has become over the 50 + years of our Friendship.We were in Abbotsford when we got a Text, and it hit hard, even though we new it was coming.
We send all our Love and Wonderful Memories of JoAnn ,and George as well, to all of her Friends and Family. Stay Strong for one another, as that is What JoAnn would want.
Listen to the Birds and watch the bees in the flowers, and Enjoy every Day.
We shall see you all soon, Love Gene & Jette Denluck
-
Nancy Borden Condolences to all the family from the Bordens. We’re thinking and praying for you all at this time.
To the Gurney family,
Sending our sympathy at this sad time.
Charlotte Freeman and Barb (Freeman) Hansen, neighbours for many years