Joanne Mcgillivray

Joanne Chiesa (nee Alexandrina Johan McGillivray) passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of June 4 at the age of 80 in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Ottawa.

Adoring wife of Guido Chiesa (deceased) of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and loving sister of Margaret Orr, of Gloucester (Ottawa). Daughter of Alexander and Margaret McGillivray both originally of Scotland and then Toronto until their deaths. Sister-in-law to Alexander Orr of Ottawa (deceased), Velia (Chiesa) Madonna (deceased) and Frank Madonna (deceased) of Toronto, and Otello Chiesa (deceased) and Patricia (Gaston) Chiesa of Dearborn, Michigan.

She will be remembered fondly by many nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States: Kathleen (Orr) O’Brien of Orleans (Ottawa), Thomas Orr of Calgary, Janice (Orr) Dicks of Edmonton, Erin (Orr) Hickey of Peterborough, Judy Madonna-Moore of Surrey (Vancouver), Linda Madonna of Calgary, Gregory Chiesa of Dearborn, Diana Campau of Mission Viego, California, and Lynn Chiesa of Dearborn.

Cherished mother of Christal (Chiesa) Pomeroy and son-in-law Stephen Pomeroy of Kanata (Ottawa), and “Gramma” to the many Standard Long-haired Dachshunds who have kept us all company (Oscar, Belle, Mika and Dana). Mika will miss her kind touch and her generous cookie-laden palm. Also, loving “Gramma” to Kathrin Jin of Toronto, originally of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and "Comare" to Carmen Spada of Brampton and also originally of Sault Ste. Marie.

Joanne adored the cinema from a young age and in young adulthood exemplified the figure and glamour of the great film actresses of the 40s and 50s, remembered in this way by one niece "She was so exotic with beautiful long hair and sunglasses, and she smoked!! My idea of a movie star!"

Joanne volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society for several years as a canvasser and, as she loved children, she also volunteered as a "Big Sister" for three girls in the 1990s and at Riverview Public School in the Sault as a teacher's assistant, helping the children with their work, grading papers, and doling out hugs. Kathrin and the other children she spent time with may remember her as loving but firm. She was generous in so many ways, always thinking of little things to brighten people's days.

There will be no formal services held at this time. Joanie has been cremated; interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie will happen at a later date. In memoriam donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association are appreciated.

On a personal note, my mother had been quite unwell recently with recurring visits to various hospitals in Ottawa for the past ten months. In her well times, she lived comfortably in a clean sunny apartment at Chartwell Kanata where she was well looked after and I could visit often and make sure she had everything she needed. I have to say that the woman had the constitution of an ox - appropriate as she was a VERY typical Taurus - which allowed her to pull through various set-backs when many thought she would not. She seemed to have a goal and stayed with us until we could have a lovely celebration of her life on her 80th birthday (May 18th) when family members and close friends joined her. She declined over the next week until finally, on June 1st, my father’s birthday, she mentally left us.

Special thanks to the caregivers of St. Vincents Hospital, with a special mention to angels Dr. Chouinard and nurse Rochelle. Also thanks to the staff and caregivers of Chartwell Kanata, and to nurse Julius and the food service staff at Robertson House, whom she adored.
Yellow roses and white daisies, butterflies and Calico cats. God speed, mum. We’ll all keep an eye out for your yellow butterfly.