Obituary of Joan Lavinia Bennett

November 13, 1938 – Leicestershire, England

April 2, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Joan Bennett (nee Sharpe), beloved wife of Michael Bennett, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 85 years.

Joan was born in Mount Sorrel in Leicestershire, England, on November 13, 1938, and she immigrated to Canada in 1980.

Joan graduated from the Mansfield Secondary Technical School in 1954 and started her working career at the Mansfield Shoe Co., carrying on the family tradition of working for the Shoe Co. She then worked at various jobs, including the British Home Stores, working as a bus conductress, at Marksman, and finishing her career at Sunice, where she worked during the winter Olympics in 1988, supplying the athletes with their jackets. She made a lot of friends over the years at all her employment placements, many of whom she held dear until her later years.

She married Michael in 1965 in their residing town of Cuckney, Mansfield, England with their two daughters, until moving to Canada.

Joan enjoyed chatting and made many friends. She also enjoyed swimming, playing on her grandfather’s farm as a child, and she made the best black forest trifle. She also had a passion for reading and playing Scrabble.

She will be most remembered for her gift of conversation, sense of humor, and perseverance.

Besides her loving husband, Joan is survived by her daughters, Carol Giokas of Calgary, and Diane Bell of Okotoks; and her five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Joan is also survived by her two sisters, Anne Loos of BC, and Irene Floyde of Mansfield.

Joan was predeceased by her parents Francis and Albert Sharpe, and her brother Bernard Sharpe.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Joan’s family here.

In living memory of Joan Bennett, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.