Joan Munro

Joan Munro, Astaskapi (Crawling Toward) July 17, 1936 – May 9, 2023

Joan was called home to the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer and passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Brooks Health Centre on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the age of 86 years old. She is predeceased by her parents, John and Helen Solway, and her husband, Jim Munro. She is survived by her children Cheryl, Todd (Simone) and Cody

(Darlene); grandchildren Tim, Daryl Lynn (Leiha), Nicole, and John; and great-grandchildren Trayton (Mia) and Susie.

She was the only child born to John and Helen Solway on July 17, 1936, in the Siksika Nation. Joan had a meager upbringing in the Siksika Nation with her parents, but love and hard work were always abundant. Her dad worked in the coal mines and her mom was a cook, homemaker, and gardener. She went to school at Old Sun Boarding School and Chief Crowfoot School.

When she finished school, she went to the stenographer (secretary) school in Lacombe. Then, she began working at Chief Crowfoot School and later became a dental assistant. Finally, she worked at Bassano School for 17 years as an office and educational assistant, making many lifelong friends.

She married Jim Munro in 1956 and was blessed with three children: Cheryl, Todd, and Cody. Joan loved her children and supported their endeavors, such as hockey, rodeo, and ranching. She was instrumental and supportive in her husband’s career in politics, horse-racing and ranching. They travelled extensively to places such as Mexico City, Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, Houston, and all over the Western USA on personal business – usually picking up a racehorse. She even met Prince Charles in 1977 at Blackfoot Crossing for the 100th Commemoration of the Signing of Treaty 7.

The roles she played throughout her life were always of utmost importance to her. Whether it be as a mother, wife, ranch hand, hockey mom, homemaker, teacher, secretary, cook, barber, or disciplinarian – whatever she needed to be or had to do, she did it all. She was known to pull calves in the middle of the prairie on the way to work, push a car up a muddy coulee in her best pantsuit, deliver meals to whoever was on the tractor in the field or stand in the sunroom with her binoculars. She always wanted to be involved and cared deeply for others.

In her later years, Joan liked to play games on her Gameboy, tablet, and computer. She enjoyed a diet of “meat and potatoes”, frybread, Babybel cheese, bologna, and anything sweet.

Right up to her last days, she led a private life where she didn’t want to be fussed over or bother anyone. She survived residential school and all the challenges of prairie life, including the 2013 Flood. Gramma was a hard-working, self-made, loving woman, who set an example for her family. The hardships she endured were a testament to her strength of character.

Joan led a long and fulfilling life. We are so honored and grateful to have had her as our mom and gramma.

The family would like to thank the Brooks Health Centre for their care, compassion, and support during difficult times. Wake services will begin at 10 AM, followed by funeral services at 12 PM on Tuesday, May 16. All services will take place at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Cluny, Alberta. 

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