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Message from Bill after Jo Ann's death.
Jo Ann and I had our love story. Some highlights were:
- We met in 1954 when I was 14 and she was still 13. We were immediately attracted to each other, went steady during high school and the majority of time at UBC.
- Married in 1962 and in 1963 went to New York for my graduate education at Columbia University. Jo Ann supported us by working at New York Telephone. I studied.
- Went further away to Libya (before Qaddafi) where I taught at the University of Libya and we socialized and travelled with the international community.
- In 1968, we settled back in North Vancouver to raise our children, Lynn Ann and Warren. I joined the new university, Simon Fraser.
- Our thirst for travel took us on many adventures: 1976 Henley on Thames, 1980 Melbourne Australia, 1990 around the world (China Singapore, India, England, Hungary etc.)
- 1994: we moved to West Vancouver. We had 22 wonderful years in a condo with a wonderful view
- 2016: downsized to a smaller condo in central North Vancouver.
- 2024: Jo Ann’s journey of life came to an end.
Together, we had a symbiotic love relationship – the whole was greater than the parts. Jo Ann complemented me, making up for my deficiencies. She had the amazing social skills that kept us active and engaged with all types of people. Gregarious, witty, and compassionate, she created a bright light at any gathering. I will miss her straight talk and humour.
Now, she is gone, taken by pneumonia. I retain the wonderful memories she has left me.
The following link recorded at our 50th wedding anniversary shows some of the vibrancy of Jo Ann.
https://youtu.be/G0-pBdHvPow?si=iP8UTK0sRrU17KmR
Bill Wedley
Jo Ann's Celebration of Life
Jo Ann's Celebration of LIfe took place on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Seymour Golf and Country Club. Unfortunately, a video of the event did not record correctly. The following summary of the event has been supplied by her family.
The Celebration was attended by many more people than we expected, somewhere near 170. Bill, Lynn Ann, Warren, Debby, John and all Jo Ann’s relatives thank everyone for such great support.
The event consisted of three speeches and then very engaging socialization over appetizers and beverages. Jo Ann would have been happy!
The three speeches were:
- A video tribute sent by Jo Ann’s only grandchild, Tanner Versloot.Tanner was unable to be present in person, since he had to remain in Australia studying for his final high school exams.
- The second tribute was presented by Lynn Ann and Warren.With entertaining interaction, they shared the story of Jo Ann’s life.
- The third were some concluding remarks from Bill.He expressed special thanks to those who came from afar, the family burial that occurred the day before, and how socialization should be easy since all present had a common connection from their friendship with Jo Ann.
You are welcome to review or peruse various aspects of the Celebration of Life in the links below. Depending upon your device or web server, you may be prompted to enroll or sign up for services. That should not be necessary. Just bypass or delete such offers. Note that while reading Lynn Ann and Warren's speech, it is worthwhile to look at the pictures in tandem since the pictures give context to the speech. They both follow the life of Jo Ann.
- Tanner’s Tribute
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/54nwi08kqrwrczaytaawh/Tanner-Tribute-20240722_222253.mp4?rlkey=a2xgh962ftd4wg4f7tog3jemu&st=53odyewe&dl=0
- Lynn Ann and Warren’s speech
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qryb1wwhibvgyznb5u0pp/Lynn-Ann-and-Warren-s-Speech-for-Jo-Ann-s-Celebration-of-Life.pdf?rlkey=znw6z29eyl8yc0lkd05z9m9de&st=d0fubu7c&dl=0
- Bill’s concluding remarks
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/za34gtkr0mopus1thu9t7/Bill-s-3-points.pdf?rlkey=qy46abbek65jvc2grd3xioogr&st=1psih3yu&dl=0
- Pictures documenting from Jo Ann’s lifetime
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wd80qlx470j1v1402h1ck/JAW-Picture-Celebration.pdf?rlkey=ipyv9d6vdii57cvrig6t3amtn&st=z8279yq0&dl=0
- Map of Jo Ann’s footprint around the world.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ye2lwgshkzscuf2lujji0/Jo-Ann-footprint.png?rlkey=b43mtiwqqys6s769phyj9b5gd&st=agmx4bxo&dl=0
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Nina Genjack (Kurrle)
Hi Bill. I thought I posted yesterday to you my heartfelt condolences, but can't find it posted. I was shocked to hear of your loss. When you have had a larger than life love pass it is hard to comphrehend. Both Herb and I send you our sympathy Joanne's passing. Take care of yourself and my prayers are with you. Nina
Ken Matheson
So sorry for your loss Bill . Jo Ann will be missed by many friends. RIP Jo Ann
David Marr
Bill, my sincere condolences to you & your family on Jo Ann's passing. Enjoyed the video of your 50th; it showed what a wonderful personality she had.
Diana Davidson (CM,LLb,Bed(elem))
Dear Bill, I am very shocked by Jo Ann's death. Current very strong memory of her curled up slightly to one side of the screen during our zooms, so comfortable, making funny remarks. Dreamt of the two of you and all these years of together and travel and love for 70 years. Don't know how you are going to deal with the loss of Jo Ann, no idea, but both Mark and I have you in our hearts and minds. If there is ever a moment at any time of the day or night when you feel like talking to someone we are here and will be as long as we are. love, Diana.
David Mckay
Our deepest sympathy to you, Bill and your family. As the Class of 58, we are all sharing in the sadness of loosing your life time sole mate, friend, lover and so much more. David and I are so very sorry that you no longer have your Precious jewel of a Gal. While we know that words may not ease your pain or the sorrow that you bear, we want you to know that we all care about you. Encircling you with heartfelt symathy, hugs, and Prayers.
Sharing in your sadness. David and Joan McKay
Bill Huxham
So sorry to hear about your loss of Jo Ann. You and Jo Ann seemed like you would go on forever and we are going to miss her happy smiling face at our reunions. Bill, you have my prayers and blessings as you try to deal with this sorrow. You have been in my thoughts a lot this past week.
Sharon K Hogan (Porter)
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your 'soul-mate' - Jo Anne. She was bigger than life to all who knew and worked with her. She was the 'glue' --
Sylvia-Anne Jones (Enga)
Dear Bill, it is so hard to think of Jo Ann not being here among us. Her spirit lives on though and I just hope that you are reliving all those wonderful years and memories. You have more than any of us....1954 on, for goodness sakes! I know that you are in many of our thoughts at this time. thinking of you....Sylvia and Eric
Fei Jackman (Wong)
Bill, so sorry for your loss to you and your family. You two had an enduring love which will be remembered always.
With my sympathies,
Fei Wong (Jackman)
Sheila Brown (Ward)
Since I was unable to attend the gathering for Joanne in late July (being away from N Van) it is lovely to be able to read the tributes and see the photos that were shared, Her strong presence is evident throughout and she likely enjoyed all the comments and the assembly being such a social being. Nice to have had her in our lives.