JOAN ROBERTA MILLER

With her beloved husband and family by her side, Joan Roberta Miller (nee Dunn) passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013.
Joan was born Nov. 4, 1940 in Nahma, Ont. to Gwen and Walter Dunn.
She attended teachers’ college in North Bay, Ont., where she met her husband, Henry. They moved to La Vallee, Ont., where Joan taught for a brief time before leaving the classroom to raise her family.
Joan and Henry moved the family to town in 1967 and Joan immersed herself in the community. Over the years, she coached the Fort Frances Visserettes Gymnastics Club and was active with the Drama Festival.
Joan loved the dramatic arts and took to the stage with Fort Frances Little Theatre. She also worked with numerous children, helping them to perfect their own performances.
Her creative flair transferred into her sewing. She prided herself for keeping her family well-clothed from play clothes to wedding gowns. She helped others learn to sew and her door always was open for anyone who wanted to visit over a cup of tea.
She was an accomplished writer, and entertained family and friends with the stories she wrote with her writers’ group and for her grandchildren.
Family was at the heart of all things for Joan. This was reflected in all she did. Joan devoted herself to eight children, as well the many children who passed through her doorway. All were welcome.
Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, who were blessed by Grandma Joanie’s unconditional love and devotion. She will be sadly missed by Lauren, Danny, Randy, Bradley, Hannah, Jeff, Zachary, Jessica, Kailey, Brittany, Sam, Jaida, and Amy.
She also is survived by her husband, Henry; her children, Willie (Lucy) Miller, Tara (Rob) Shymanski, Kip (Lynne) Miller, Nancy (Sandy) Mutchmor, Kaela (Dwayne) Korchak, Dana (Alex) Guruprasad, Jody (Chris) Bonner-Vickers, and Alexis (Brian) Norris; her brother, Jack, and sister, Betty; as well as numerous sisters- and brothers-in law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Knox United Church in Fort Frances.
The honourary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Knox United Church Renewal Fund, or the Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com