EVANS, Joanne Louise (nee Shaheen)

Joanne Louise Evans passed away on Friday, August 31, 2018 in Orangeville, Ontario at the age of 58. Cherished daughter of Ellen and Joe Shaheen (from Sydney, Nova Scotia), sister to Deborah, Heather, and Paul (Denise nee Jackson). Adoring mother to Jamie, Cody, and Luke. Doting grandmother to Aiden. Beloved aunt to Jessie, Samantha, Jordan, Cole, and Joseph. Joanne lived in Dundas, Ontario for over 30 years, where she raised her children and formed deep lifetime friendships. She enjoyed an active community life, was proudly a ‘Jill of All Trades’ who tackled carpentry projects big and small, and her passion for hockey, music, art, and designing jewelry made her a pillar of many communities.

Joanne was a prolific goalie, playing in hockey tournaments all over the world. She was recruited by the Canadian National Moose Hockey team that travelled to New Zealand and Australia to promote the sport in warmer climates. After a brain injury in 2007, she persevered and re-taught herself to play stand-up hockey, arriving at the rink in a wheelchair and then posting shutouts. She recently took up sledge hockey, and had aspirations to make the Canadian Women’s National Team after training for only one year. She loved hockey and the circle of friends it fostered; her hockey family is vast and unparalleled.

Joanne was also self-taught in many art forms. She played the guitar, the banjo, and the harmonica, and brought her talents to the Wellington Street Band. She was an exceptional painter, and favoured water colours. She had a gift for jewelry making and got immense joy out of bestowing her creations on family and friends.

Joanne was most at home in nature. She loved canoeing, fishing, and travelling across the province to discover beautiful landscapes and vistas. She was an avid photographer, and when she recently moved to a cabin in Caledon she soaked up the sunset from her porch, every day.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Living Rock in Hamilton, Ontario would be appreciated (www.livingrock.ca). The Living Rock is a charity that provides youth with the support, education, and opportunities needed to build towards a brighter future. Joanne’s son Cody has dedicated years of service to The Living Rock, helping to engage youth and equip them for success.

Friends may visit at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME (1167 Guelph Line, Burlington) on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.