Joanne Marie Christie

Watch recording of service at https://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/122439103

It is with heavy hearts that we share the very sad news of Joanne Christie’s passing on June 12, 2019. Joanne was born on Father’s Day, June 16, 1968 in Saskatoon. While this beautiful daughter was the greatest gift her parents Bill and Anita could ever ask for, she didn’t stop with her boundless generosity over her next fifty years. Wherever she went, whomever she talked to, whether family or friends, she inspired us all with her positive attitude, contagious laughter, tireless courage and unconditional love. Following a brief hospitalization stay while dealing with complications of MS, she left the world in the arms of her loving husband and best friend, Mark Winichuk. She leaves behind her children Christie and Michael Lammens; parents Bill and Anita Christie; brother Bob (Candice) Christie, niece Chanelle (Devon Marshall), nephew Ethan; step daughters Joanna Winichuk, Shawna (Alex) and Jayden and Elliot Stevens; brothers/sisters-in-law Paul (Jean) Winichuk, Anna Marie (Wade) Willey and their families; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by grandparents Fred and Anne Christie and Bill and Esther Bacon; and mother-in-law, Florence Winichuk.

Joanne attended elementary and high school in Saskatoon and studied as a medical technician through SIAST. After working a few years with a Vancouver medical lab, she pursued a career as a lab technician with Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Saskatoon. Her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) came in 2008 and she courageously accepted life on wheels and early medical retirement a few years later. Throughout all challenges, she actively maintained her amazing, brilliant mind with daily research about breakthroughs and resolved to do whatever she could to experience that cure. Over a decade, this pursuit led to treatments in Bulgaria, California, Panama City and she had recently been approved and was currently in the process for an FDA clinical stem cell trial in New York. She was an avid sports fan and well-versed movie buff. Her sense of humour prevailed even throughout all health challenges. She loved her faithful Shepherd dog “Bara” who knew there would always be treats while maintaining guard of her precious “Mama” like gold. Above the doorway of their loving home is a sign “Life is a Blessing” and we can sum up her too short life in these words: Dream big. Be kind. Keep calm. Be silly. Be fearless. Be grateful. See the beauty. Enjoy the little things. Love life, you can do it, and never give up. The family thanks ambulance, medical and emergency team responders, all the Drs., nurses, medical and administration professionals at Royal University and St. Paul’s hospitals over these past few weeks and medical teams over numerous years. A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at Saskatoon Funeral Home, 338 – 4th Avenue North with Sue Panattoni as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the SPCA, or a charity of personal choice.