It is with tremendous sadness and respect we say goodbye to Judith Pearl Plant (nee Joskow). Judy passed away, with her family by her side, on Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Thunder Bay, Ont. at the age of 68.
Judy was born to Pearl and Jack Joskow on July 4, 1949 in Fort Frances, Ont. She grew up in Atikokan, Ont. and married Roy Plant out of high school. Together, they spent the better part of their life together raising their daughters, chasing fishing hot spots, and creating beautiful gardens at their home on Gilbert Lake.
During her youth, Judy worked for City Cleaners, for the Eytons at the Caribou Motel, and for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Throughout the years, she also was an active member of the United Church.
For many years, she was a stay-at-home mom. But in 1988, she went back to school and graduated the RPN program, which opened her journey at the Atikokan General Hospital, where she worked until she was unable to.
As a mother, she not only passed on her refined skills in sewing, gardening, drinking coffee, and socializing, but also in hard work, independence, resiliency, and living life to the fullest.
As a grandmother to five, “Grammie Judy” unconventionally taught the value of family and showed what unconditional love, patience, and compassion looked like.
There was nothing that put a bigger smile on her face than when Tara and Darcy and the five kids came through the doors to swoop her up for an outing. She didn’t care what we were doing, as long as we were doing it together.
In her later years, she got so excited every time one of her siblings came to visit that it would take her weeks to recover–but it was totally worth it as she valued each and every moment.
For the last 40 years, Judy lived with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2006, she moved to Thunder Bay to live with Tara, then in 2009 moved into Grandview Lodge and subsequently Hogarth Riverview Manor.
It is important to remember that she truly lived during these years. She never once complained or said life was unfair. When times were tough, she always had a way of making everything easier by saying “oh well” or “this is no big deal.”
She never once let the MS take her life away. She was the definition of strength and resiliency, and her positive and care-free attitude was welcomed by everyone she was around.
Judy is survived by her daughters that thought the world of her. Her daughter, Tara Marie Posselwhite, and grandchildren, Victoria, Preston, and Hayleigh, and her daughter, Darcy Diane (Riley) McWhirter and grandchildren, Ewan and Marin.
She also is survived by her supportive and loving family who always were there for her, Don (Gail) Joskow of Oshawa, Yvonne (Eugene) Seckler of Regina, Marianne (Patrick) Buick of Battle Creek, Margaret (Edward) Katona of Fort Frances, and Tom (Sharon) Joskow of West Bank; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Pearl (1976) and Jack (1984); and her husband, Roy Harrison Plant (2006).
A celebration of life and graveside burial will be held in Atikokan at a later date.
JUDITH (JUDY) PLANT
