JOANNA ALDITHA VREELAND (formerly JOAN ANNETTE VREELAND)

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JOANNA ALDITHA VREELAND (formerly JOAN ANNETTE VREELAND)
January 17, 1932 - October 9, 2022

Joanna was born in Greenwich Village, New York City. Being a child of the thirties while growing up in the big city, made her a lifelong urbanite and incredibly resourceful.
Joanna is survived by her sister Linda Cotter (Jack), daughter Carrie Middleton (James), and grandchildren, Amy Bridgeforth (Aaron), Steven Hunter (Emily), and Jesse Hunter (Cassandra). She was predeceased by her parents, (Frank Trenton Vreeland and Pearl Samuels), her baby brother Frank Trenton Jr. and her ex-husband Harry Dillow.
Joanna left the United States over 50 years ago, and she never looked back. After moving to Canada, she lived in a number of locations, including Regina, SK, Dawson Creek, BC, and finally, Winnipeg, MB. Her work with the RCMP in an administrative capacity took her to some of these new and previously unknown-to-her destinations.
Joanna had one daughter Carrie, but she was a mother twice over, helping Carrie raise her three children as well. In her final years, it was her grandson Steven and his partner Emily, who cared for her, took her out for dates for fish and chips, and brought her cat Pablo over for visits when she no longer lived somewhere where he could reside with her.
Joanna had a wonderful sense of humour - at times dark, at other times sarcastic, sometimes just plain silly. Even in the deep dark days of the pandemic, trapped in her nursing home room, she never failed to make her family laugh on Zoom, and was very popular with the visiting Red Cross volunteers.
Despite never having the opportunity to travel to Europe, Joanna had a deep attachment to her Dutch, English, and German roots. She knew war history like you would not believe, and could recount details of battles dating back many centuries.
Joanna loved animals of all types, and was a self-professed "cat lady". She had many kitties throughout the course of her life, but a special mention is deserved by her most recent cat Pablo, who supported Joanna in the final decade of her life. She would say that he made her life worth living.
Joanna was strong-willed, independent, and made her opinions known, no matter the topic of conversation. Even in her final years of life, she could hold her own in a debate with someone a quarter of her age on any world event of the day.
Joanna's family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the staff on 5A - St. Michael's unit of Holy Family Home, for caring for Joanna in her final years.
In lieu of flowers, Joanna would have asked you to donate to a no-kill animal shelter or similar organization focused on supporting animals in need.
Joanna will be interred at Holy Ghost (Gimli Ridge) Cemetery, and a private graveside service will be held.

Glen Eden Funeral Home
204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2022