Obituary of Joan Haskey
In Loving Memory of Joan Haskey
Joan Arlene Haskey passed away peacefully surrounded by her four children on October 27th, 2024, at the age of 74. Born on April 14, 1950, in Foam Lake, SK, Joan was a much loved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend who dedicated her life to her family and deeply impacted all who knew her.
Joan was the 4th born of 5 children to Gudi and Gudrun Helgason. She completed most of her schooling in Foam Lake with the exception of her grade 6 year when she lived in Saskatoon while her mom attended university. She always said she had an idyllic childhood, fondly recalling time spent with her family and cousins, as well as ample time riding horses. She loved music and dance and even learned to jive at a very young age. In school she excelled in her classes and competed at provincial levels in public speaking. Faith, church and community service were an important part of Joan’s childhood. She became a candy-striper in grade 6 and continued to help at the nursing home right until she graduated.
After high school, she went on to earn a certificate in teaching from the U of S in 1970. On January 2nd, 1971, she married her high school sweetheart, Bryan Haskey. They were married for nearly 43 years and created a loving home on the farm southeast of Wadena. Joan taught at Wadena Elementary School full time for a few years before becoming a stay-at-home mother. She continued substitute teaching into her 60s and was delighted to teach her kids and grandkids when the opportunity arose. She was an integral part of the family farm making and delivering meals, moving vehicles, hauling grain, combining and doing the book-keeping.
Joan was known for her kind and compassionate spirit, being a friend to many. She loved to read, carrying a book with her wherever she went. Her other hobbies included going on long walks with friends, gardening, baking, and sewing. She was a loving and caring daughter, always making time to visit, and helping her parents and in-laws when needed. She was very active in the community, serving on many committees and especially helping at the United Church. In 2005, Joan became a grandmother and, in the years since, was blessed with 10 grandchildren. “Amma,” as she was fondly known, loved playing and reading with her grandkids, and she was always available to help when called upon.
Joan enjoyed traveling all over North America, with some memorable trips including ones to Nova Scotia and Ontario to see her sister, Hawaii and Mexico with Bryan and her children, and many road trips throughout the United States. Once her kids began to live abroad, Joan travelled more extensively, visiting Asia, Africa and Europe. She was always up for an adventure! Joan, a proud Icelander, took her children on the trip of a lifetime to the arctic isle in 2018.
When Bryan got sick in 2012, Joan became a devoted and loving caregiver for 2 years. Her last 8 years of life, although stricken by dementia, were filled with new joys as she was blessed with a carefree personality and childlike innocence. From late 2018 until the spring of 2023, Joan lived mainly in Saskatoon, spending lots of time with her family there. She moved to Wadena Pleasant View Care Home in May 2023, a place where she felt at home. Joan always had a strong faith in Christ, and she understood that in death she would go to her true home in heaven.
Joan was predeceased by: her husband; parents; brother Helgi Helgason; sister Marcella Lamb; and in-laws George and Pauline Haskey. Left to treasure her memory are: her children & grandchildren Chad (Paige, Bret, Jake & Tess), Jennifer, Jayme (Lynn - Justin & Brayden) Chotowetz and Crystal (Richard - Georgia, Charlotte, Thomas & Leo) Nataraj; her sisters Marilyn (Keith) Barber and Karen (Dale) Smith; her in-laws Myrna Helgason, Lawrence & Lynn Haskey and many other relatives and special friends.
Celebration Of Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Wadena Legion Hall
Wadena, SK
Messages of sympathy & caring may be left for the family at
narfasons.com
or sent to:
The Haskey Family
Box 114
Wadena, SK
SOA 4JO
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joan can be made to:
Hands at Work in Africa (Canada) Society
Alzheimer's Society of Saskatchewan
Wadena Pleasant View- Resident Council
