Joan East

It is with deep sadness we share the news of the passing of our mother, Joan East, née Brennan, on November 6, 2025, at the age of 92.

Mom was born in Saskatoon to Daniel and Jean Brennan on April 4, 1933, the last of five children. Hers was a tight-knit family having lost their father a year after her birth. She is predeceased by her husband, Raymond East, three siblings, Jim, Bill and Margaret Brennan and survived by sister Betty Brennan. Also surviving are her four children - Jane Kulbida (Mark), Frances (Kevin Kortje), Frank and Jim. Also, her grandchildren Ryan (Victoria), Kellie (Brett), Katie (Keiran), Connor, Gillian (Brad), Julia (Mitchell) and Chandra and several nieces and nephews.

Living her entire life in Saskatoon, she attended the former St. Joseph School, Nutana Collegiate and the University of Saskatchewan where she earned her teaching certificate. She returned to St. Joseph to teach Grade Five for three years before resigning to raise her family. She was a competitive and beautiful swimmer and as a child, so the story goes, all summer she rode the street car daily across the city to the Avenue H public swimming pool. She was a speed skater, a member of the U of S Women's Diving team, an occasional golfer and took up downhill skiing in her fifties.

Once we were all in school, Mom worked for Statistics Canada for a few years and in 1977 she partnered with her brother, opening Saskatoon Teaching Aids Store (later The Learning Tree) on Broadway until her retirement in 1998. She served a number of terms on the Board of the Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium.

Mom loved life at the cottage. It was at Waskesiu, and at the house on Ewart Avenue, where many enjoyed Joan's generous hospitality. The informal Diamond Athletic Club, an enduring group of friends, was the source of much fun as many of those families visited. The cottage became central to card games, badminton, checkers, barbecues and children running amok. Thanks to Mom's love of a large gathering and cooking for a crowd we have a trove of great memories.

Mom was a fun and loving mother to her children and grandchildren and a supportive friend to many, forever making new friends. She was a lifelong volunteer to many causes and quick to offer a helping hand or a four-leaf clover (or a couple dozen!) to those in need of some luck. Through her work, she once met a recent immigrant with limited English and tutored him on weekends throughout his high school years helping him gain admission to university. He never forgot her kindness, calling and sending gifts each year until her memories faded.

Her later years were burdened by progressive dementia and multiple physical health issues, which she stoically endured. Through it all, she never lost her sunny disposition or her self deprecating sense of humour and we grew accustomed to her remarkable resilience.

We wish to thank the caring staff of Luther Riverside Terrace Intermediate Care and Cozy Nest Long Term Care. Also, thanks to the staff at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital. A private family celebration of life will be held a later date.