With sadness we announce the passing of Margaret Jo-Anne Collins (nee Hamilton) at Huron Hospice as the sun was rising on August 24th 2020 after a lengthy struggle with complications from brain seizure activity. Beloved wife of Jim for 58 years. Predeceased by her parents, her brother and grandson Lucas.
Loving mother to Scott (Ashley) and twins Mari-Jo (Mark) and Michael (Suzi). Cherished Nana to 6 grandchildren, Mikayla in Waterloo, Ryan and Trevor in the US and Taylor, Leah and Sydney in the UK.
Jo-Anne was born on August 15, 1937 in Timmins Ontario, and lived her early years in the Northern Ontario. Following her graduation from high school she attended Ontario Teachers College in North Bay. Her early teaching experience was in the north and included a couple of years at Camp Petawawa.
It was in the north that she met Jim, who at the time was working at the Macintyre Porcupine mine in Timmins. They were later married in Toronto, subsequently moved out west to Vancouver where Scott was born, and then to Montreal where the twins were born.
They moved to Goderich in 1976 where Jo-Anne continued teaching until the late 90’s when she retired. She was a charter member of the Goderich Lioness Club, long-time member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was active in the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Auxiliary, in particular assisting patients in day surgery.
Jo-Anne was happiest when she was in her kitchen, her favourites being muffins, cookies and popcorn mix for her children and grandchildren. She also loved to travel, particularly cruising.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at University Hospital, Wingham Hospital, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, and Huron Hospice for the care and comfort they gave to Jo-Anne over the last close to three months
At Jo-Anne’s request a private family burial will take place. A celebration of Jo-Anne’s life will be held at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Auxiliary, Huron Hospice or a charity of your choice.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Bev Crosina
For some reason after many years , I thought of Jo-Anne today and decided to see if I could locate her. I am so sad to hear of her passing. She and I attended Teacher’s College together in North Bay and many a day she stayed with me at the RCAF base where I lived. As time passed we lost touch but I thought of her many times as I baked. She had written out many of her Mom’s and Grandmother’s recipes for me, date cake and oatmeal crisp to name a couple. My belated sympathies.
Dagny Kane-Haas
Dear Jim and family. We were so saddened to hear about dear Joanne. She was truly one of a kind. A special one! I will miss seeing her lovely smiling face and her quick wit. Please know you and the family are in our thoughts.
Stephen Cooper
Jo-Anne and the Collins family have always made me and my family feel welcome and part of their family. Some of my fondest memories were at their home, by the pool and with a refreshment in my hand. Jo-Anne’s smile is what I will remember the most. My sympathies go out to the Collins family for their loss.
Ed and Darla Roch
Jim, it’s with a heavy heart that our thoughts of deep and sincere sympathy are with you. May good memories help you through your loss.
Sincerely, Ed and Darla Roch
Julie Holmes
Jim, Mari Jo and family,
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Julie and Tim Holmes
Mark and Brenda McLean
Dear Jim and family: We were so sorry to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. I am so glad that we were able to have some good visits at the MacKay Centre Tuesday dinners when Jo-Anne would come with you. Her suffering is over but it is still difficult to lose a loved one. We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Brenda & Mark McLean
Mary Forrest
Jim and family. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michelle Gaynor
Jim and Family: So, sorry for your loss. Jo-Anne was a wonderful, wonderful person.
David and Lorna Brady
We will miss you dearly. We know you are in Heaven organizing all the little angels for their first day of school. You will be reminding them to wear their masks and to social distance.
We had a long and happy friendship that lasted almost fifty three years. We will not forget you and all the happy times we spent together. We will meet again our friend adieu.
Diann Kellestine
To all of Jo-Anne’s Family. Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, Courage to face the days ahead and Loving memories to forever hold in your hearts, of a very special lady. Rest Easy my Sorority Sister.
Karen Lehnen
Dear Jim & family,
I met Jo-Anne many years ago when she was teaching. More recently we enjoyed MacKay exercise classes.
My sincere condolences to you in your sad loss. Karen Lehnen
Gaynor and Jerry Parsons
We were so very sad to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. She was the first friend I made in Goderich. Many memories of picking her up for Sorority, Hospital Aux: meetings and monthly trips to W.C.C. in London. Not to mention ‘Ladies Days’ out and a little retail therapy. Jerry’s special birthday butter tarts and she was definitely the “Cookie Queen” We enjoyed many laughs, dinners and theatre outings with Jim and Jo-Anne and we will miss her very much. Sending Jim and family our heartfelt sympathy. May all the wonderful memories of her surrounded you all with love and comfort at this sad time.
Jerry and Gaynor Parsons
Gene & Becky Bender
Along with everyone who knew and admired Jo-Ann we want to extend our caring to each of you – Jim, Scott & Ashley, Mari-Jo and Mark, Michael & Suzi and families. We will always remember Jo-Anne for her complete dedication to everything to which she was committed – her family, her teaching, her amazing cooking and her volunteer work. We have many happy memories of our association with your family.
With love,
Becky & Gene
Cecelia Denomme
Dear Jim and family – you are on our minds and in our hearts – with sympathy and sadness – Jo-Anne’s love for each of you – will always be with you. She will be missed and remembered as a special part of our community.
Sincerely – Cecelia And Don
Marg Hallman
Very sorry to hear about the loss of such a special lady.Our sincere condolences to Jim and the family,Marg and Jim Hallman.
Debi Bryans
So sorry to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. It will be the little things that you will remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter and although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things that help push away the pain and bring the smiles back again.
Bob & Debi Bryans
Jim Mulhern
Our condolence to Jim and family.
Jim & Mona
Cliff McDonald
It’s really hard to imagine that she is now watching us instead of laughing with us. May you rest in peace Jo-Anne. You and your family are in our prayers. Know that Jim and I will continue to be friends forever. We will miss you!!
Sharon Brown
So saddened to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. She was a lovely person.
Sharon and Paul
Rosemary Beange
Our sincere condolence to Jim and family on the loss
of an amazing woman. Enjoyed our time in Lioness and
golfing at Sunset. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
at this sad time.
Allan&Rosemary Beange
Rose Malton
I will miss you my dear friend, you always made me smile.
Thoughts and prayers for Jim and rest of family.
Dave Brereton
To Jim and your family…may patty and I express our sympathy and sadness in seeing the funeral posting this morning…Patty and I
so enjoyed working with Jo-Anne for many years in many teaching venues…She loved working with children and always went out of her way to make her ‘special” students love life and her…She had a unique gift for making those around her smile and feel good…She was an exceptional human being and will me missed…love to all patty and Dave brereton
Sharon Brown
I am so saddened to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Jim and your lovely family. You will have so many great memories to share that will keep Jo’s place in your hearts forever.
Laura Johnston
Jim and family: So sorry to hear of Joanne’s passing. My sympathy to you and your family.
Shelagh Sully
Dear Jim and family. I am so sorry to hear about Jo-Anne. I know you and the children will have many happy memories to think back on to help you through this sad time.
With much sympathy to you all.
Shelagh Sully
Dorothy Bourdeau
So sorry to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. Art will surely miss the annual Tartierre, and he will miss taking her a sample of fish from one of his ‘fries’. We have both enjoyed our friendship with her over the 40 or so years. Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. Art & Dorothy Bourdeau.
Dagmar and John Crawford
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim, Mary Jo, Scott, Mike and their families. To us she was a treasured friend . We met Jo first when we joined together and helped organize the first Relay for Life many years ago. . Many all nighters helping make sure that everything was looked after. To our delight she became our neighbour after we had moved to Goderich. It was a beautiful surprise, when I took over soup and muffins on their moving day, to find out Jo and Jim to be our new neighbours. We shared many dinners and get together and had so so many laughs. Will miss you dear friend. In our hearts forever. RIP Jo❤️
Linda and Jim Hayter
Our sincere condolences to Jim and the family. Jo-Anne brought many happy times for so many people. We will miss her friendship very much.
Ralph & Eleanor Smith
We wish to send our sympathy to Jim and the family. We have know Jo-Anne for many years and enjoyed working with her. The family attended school where I was principal and I want to let them know we are thinking of them. We remember Jo-Anne in the kitchen and can attest to her love and ability there.
Maureen Penn
It was with sadness I heard of Jo-Anne’s death. For many years she and I worked as partners, travelling Huron schools as part of the team of Area Resource Teachers. Memories of Friday meetings, lunches, travelling in convoys to get home to Goderich in snow storms, and, of course, lots of laughter and jokes.
My condolences to Jim and the rest of her family.
Marlowe and Debbie Austin
So sorry to hear of Jo-Anne’s passing. Our thoughts are with you all during this sad time.