Joanne May Barnes (née Lloyd)

June 4, 1949 - January 7, 2021

Funeral Details: Celebration of Life to be held at a later date

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joanne May Barnes. Joanne died peacefully in her sleep at RVH after a long battle with atypical Parkinson’s (Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as PSP).

Joanne May Lloyd was born in Newmarket, ON to Raymond “Andy” Lloyd and the recently deceased Gudrun “Goody” Lloyd (née Berg). Joanne was the loving sister to Teresa (Don) Campbell of Orillia and Ken (Lyn) Lloyd of Dunchurch, ON. Joanne excelled at academics and athletics at school. She attended Dr G.W. Williams Secondary School in Aurora, graduated from King City HS in 1967, and graduated from McMaster University in 1970, where Joanne specialized in Foreign Languages. She was fluent in several languages, including English, French, German, Danish, Spanish, and Latin. Throughout her life, Joanne possessed a love of academics and always strived to excel in her studies.

Joanne met her husband (Brian) in 1971 while working as a French teacher in Mitchell, Ontario, where she began her 32-year teaching career. They moved to Simcoe County in 1974 and Joanne (Mademoiselle Lloyd) taught French in Orillia for 2 years before completing her move to Barrie.  In 1976 they purchased a home in the Allandale area of Barrie.  Joanne was a beloved French and primary teacher in Barrie until her retirement in 2002. She taught at many schools including King Edward, Sunnybrae, Forest Heights, Allandale Heights, and Algonquin Ridge, where she taught grade 1 before her retirement. She continued to involve herself in teaching by doing 'LTO' Contracts at several schools, including Assikinac and Willow Landing, among others. She loved her work with young children and their learning of new languages.

Joanne was a doting parent to her three children Thomas, Matthew, and Michael, and the proud grand-parent to Samuel and Evelyn. She was instrumental in instilling a tremendous attitude for learning in all her children and grandchildren.

Joanne was an active volunteer in her community, particularly at Burton Avenue United Church where she taught Sunday School, and served on the Church Board. Other volunteer activities included serving on the Board of Directors for Samaritan House and delivering Meals on Wheels. In retirement she participated in several missionary missions to Nicaragua.

For leisure, Joanne enjoyed reading, completing crosswords, and spending time outdoors, whether skiing in the winter, or golfing with the Women's League Golf at Simoro in the summer.

Joanne suffered a traumatic accident in 2016 that nearly took her life. She made an astounding recovery and re-learned how to speak and walk. Throughout her recovery and eventual decline, Joanne maintained her generous and cheerful attitude. Many have remarked that she had such a warm and welcoming, infectious smile. Joanne will be remembered for endless laughter, her resilience, and her extraordinary patience—whether with her husband, her children, or her students.

A story about Joanne that embodies her spirit and her determination took place while she was at RVH, recovering from her traumatic brain injury. One day the PT finally got Joanne to acknowledge that she was in RVH, and asked her why she was there. Her response was that ‘I am here to help people.’ Joanne was always caring for and wanting to help others.

The family would like to thank the staff at the IOOF who provided her with great care and made the extra effort to read the nightly letters she received from her husband for approximately 286 days during the Covid-19 pandemic, until her final days. They would also like to thank the staff at the RVH for their thoughtfulness and care in her final weeks. Joanne would often ask her husband to make sure the IOOF Staff were given 'treats' from her. The staff at TCU and RVH enjoyed their 'Turtle Chocolates.'  The family would also extend a special mention to Sarah Boulton, PT, for her professional care and the positive encouragement she gave Joanne in those last few months. I often have tears whenever I visualize the two of you walking the hallway in Allandale Village at the IOOF Home.

Throughout her diagnosis and demise, Joanne remained true to her unwavering faith, and was continually supported by her Minister, Andrea Wheaton of Burton Avenue United Church. The family expresses their appreciation to Andrea.

Joanne will be sadly missed by her sons Thomas (Andrea) of Barrie, Matthew (Erika) of Cambridge, and Michael (Lara) of Toronto. Her grandchildren, Samuel and Evelyn always brought a smile to Joanne's face, and we will all remember forever the expression on Joanne's face as she watched the grandchildren open their presents on Christmas Day, 2020. She will also be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews.

Due to Covid-19, a Celebration of Joanne's wonderful life will be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to Parkinson’s Canada or the Burton Avenue United Church, or to the Trillium Gift of Life Network for tissue and organ donations.

CONDOLENCES

10 Condolences
  • Doug Barnett, Lois Mason
    Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2021 Reply

    Brain and I have golfed together for a few super years, and on many occasions, Joanne would join us for dinner with Brian after our game. She was such a wonderful gal, and it was so hard not only for Joanne, but for Brian to watch her trying to manage from her accident. I know she is in a better place now, and only can hope that Life gets a little understandable for Brian. Joanne was a Fantastic person, May she rest in peace. Luvya both.

  • Gail Kerr
    Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2021 Reply

    What a lovely tribute to Joanne! Thanks for sharing, Brian, even as it was so hard for you to only be able to send her letters during covid lockdown. Your love and dedication to her is a wonderful testimony of your lives together. Praying peace and comfort over you and the whole family.

  • Martin and Nancy Pinder
    Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2021 Reply

    Marty and I remember Joanne as a wonderful warm loving kind woman.
    Our deepest sympathy to you Brian, and your family.

    Marty and Nancy Pinder

  • Gordon Bambrick
    Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2021 Reply

    A very touching obituary. You chose the perfect quote from her: she was indeed “here to help people”. Shannon, Hannah and I consider ourselves very lucky to have known such a kind and thoughtful person.

  • Andrew, Sally and Livvy Telford
    Posted on: Monday, June 7, 2021 Reply

    Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Brian and the family. Although we didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Joanne while attending BAUC, it’s apparent Joanne lived life to the fullest and left lasting memories to be cherished … a great gift!

  • Gail Blain
    Posted on: Monday, June 7, 2021 Reply

    Dear Joanne Lloyd/Barne’s family; prayers for Joanne’s wonderful soul; prayers and kind thoughts to you, Brian, Tom, Mike and Matthew, her loved ones, and your friends; I taught Sunday School with Joanne, she always told me how capable I was, WOW, just reading her lovely tribute, Brian, I know what a friend she was thru her kind words and her kind of work; many parallels here, grew up on a big dairy farm in Listowel; in touch with a classmate and her hubby who own a farm in Mitchell; went to WLU with a friend, last name, Lloyd; my hubby passed away in our home in Cambridge; now living in TO area; hubby was the 2nd baby born in RVH in 1949, of course, January; my bday is the 8th of Jan; we were capricorns, together; my Mother’s last name was Goodliff, they called her and her sisters the Goody girls; Joanne’s work here is done;….. by your beautiful tribute, Brian, she has left her job in your capable hands; we met thru faith sharing and teaching it, together; truly thankful for Joanne; yes, remember the love, mourn her loss and certainly celebrate Joanne’s life!

  • Bonnie Reed
    Posted on: Monday, June 7, 2021 Reply

    My deepest sympathy and condolences to Joanne’s family. I did have the pleasure of knowing Joanne while attending BAUC, She always had such a gently nature. Such a beautiful spirt!

  • J. David Murphy
    Posted on: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Reply

    Brian and Family:
    Because I lived overseas so long, I didn’t get to know your wife/mom well, but on the occasions when I visited your neighbour Ron in the summers, I do have a nice remembrance of a lovely lady. I know she had adversity later in life and bore it well.
    My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
    David

  • Tim Crawford
    Posted on: Friday, June 11, 2021 Reply

    It was with sadness we read of the passing of Joanne. Clearly, she was a beautiful person who lived a beautiful life. One measure of the value-of-a-life is the contribution to the enrichment of the lives’-of-others. Both in her personal life and her professional life Joanne enriched so many lives – beyond measure!

    Those close to her will remember and value the minutes, hours, days and years they were enriched by her unique character and charm. Others, such as her students, will live a life subtly influenced by her ‘very essence’ conveyed by her art of interpersonal communication at a multitude of levels.

    The true legacy of a ‘life’ is how much one has contributed to the lives of others. Joanne’s legacy is immeasurable!

    Our sincerest condolences to Brian, the whole Barnes’ family, and others who were enriched by Joanne’s intangible, profound essence. What a gift!

    Ilene and Tim Crawford

  • Victoria Bennett (Coyle)
    Posted on: Monday, June 14, 2021 Reply

    It saddened me to hear of Mrs.Barnes passing. She was always a bright light at church growing up. She would go out of her way, to make church enjoyable. I still tell people about how Mr. & Mrs. Barnes would bring their dog to church. Those were the best days.

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