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We offer families the opportunity to prepare and submit obituary notices written in their own words. We believe this allows each tribute to authentically reflect the life and legacy of the individual. To honour each tribute, obituaries are published as approved by the family.

Obituaries

Hazel "Joan" Case

October 11, 1935 - June 05, 2026

Text:

Obituary For Hazel "Joan" Case

Hazel Joan Case, known to most simply as Joan, Auntie Joan, Mom, Grandma, or GG, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 90.

Joan was born Hazel Joan Howe to Henry and Violet Howe on October 11, 1935, on Riverside Farm near Warman, Saskatchewan. As a 10-year-old, she moved with her mother, brother, and stepfather to Kimberley, British Columbia. There, she grew up, attended school, and later met the love of her life, William "Bill" Case. Joan and Bill married in June 1957 and soon began a life of adventure together, moving north to United Keno Hill Mines in the Yukon. All four of their children were born during their years in the Yukon, a place Joan remembered with great affection.

In 1964, the family relocated to Giant Mine in Yellowknife, where Joan was very active in the community and made many lifelong friends. After brief periods in Manibridge, Manitoba, and Elsa, Yukon, in the early '70s, Joan, Bill, and their children returned to Yellowknife in 1974, the community that truly became home. It was in Yellowknife that Joan developed her lifelong passion for gardening, flowers, sewing, and quilting.

Joan worked as the secretary for many years at J.H. Sissons School, where she became "Mrs. Case" to a generation of Yellowknifers. She took great pride in her work and cherished the friendships and memories made there.

In 1988, Joan and Bill retired to Grande Prairie, Alberta. They took advantage of this new free time, making several trips to Europe and one to Australia. Retirement opened a new chapter for Joan, and one of her most meaningful projects was researching her family's lineage. Through determined and thorough investigation, she discovered that her father had been born Henry David (Harry) Banister and her mother had been Violet Ethel Ashley-Pryce, and that she had an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins across Canada, connections she treasured deeply.

Joan was very proud of her independence and good health. Daily outside walks, summer and winter, were part of her routine. She lived by herself in her own home until her passing.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill; her brothers Dave, Bill, Michael, and Chesley; and her half-sister, Shirley.

She is survived by her brothers John and Irwin; her sister, Marlene; and her half-sisters Hazel and Anne; and sisters-in-law Betty and Barb; her children Norm (Anna), Ray (Cheryl), Lorna (Dwain), and Sam; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Joan will be remembered for her warmth, her resilience, her curiosity, and her deep devotion to family. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched across the North and beyond.

As per Joan's wishes, no memorial service will be held. Family and friends will gather at a later date to celebrate her amazing life and to inter Joan with Bill.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Joan's favourite charity, Doctors Without Borders Canada (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/ways-to-give/), or a charity of your choice.

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Condolences

  • June 24, 2026

    Pirjo Vanonen

    Dear Joan's family, I was saddened to hear that our beloved Joan, "Mrs. Case", has passed away. I was fortunate to work with her at JHS, and what a gift she was to us! Her patience, her care and concern for staff and students seem to have no limits. Her days at the office were filled with constant interruptions and requests, yet there was never a feeling that you were a bother. When Joan retired from JHS, we did an improv skit "A Day in the Life of Mrs. Case" full of the usual and unusual interactions and interruptions. I was honoured to play the role of Mrs. Case, and afterwards Joan told me how much she enjoyed it. However, she wondered how I managed to "steal" one of her favourite work outfits from her closet! I had help.. Joan's love of gardening was infectious, and she encouraged me to bring back a lilac bush from Winnipeg for my own yard, having admired hers on Taylor Road. That bush, brought back as "fragile luggage", about 40 years ago, is coming back to bloom again. As I smell the lilac scent, I will think of Joan, as I do every year at lilac time. However, this year it will be with even more gratitude and love, but sadness as well, as I know that our annual Christmas notes of keeping in touch will not be arriving. Sincerely, Pirjo Vanonen

  • June 23, 2026

    Joan Cumming

    I met Joan when I was on staff at Sissons school in Yellowknife. What an exceptional woman and an outstanding school secretary. Nothing was too much trouble for her.... she was always pleasant and obliging, reliable, and competent. I was fortunate to know her and will remember her fondly. Joan Cumming

  • June 22, 2026

    Faith Cronk

    Dear Sam, Ray, Lorna and Norman: you were the joy of your Mom's life and as you brought partners and grandchildren into your family, her joy and pride knew no limit! You were all loved beyond measure by your remarkable Mother who was in turn loved by yourselves but also by many others. I have always considered it a gift to have been part of the first staff at J. H. Sissons school and it was only a matter of days there when I came to recognize your Mom's central role contributing to the smooth operation of the whole school. Every thing we needed in our classrooms had been anticipated by her, ordered, catalogued, labeled - and was ready to go. Along with a smile, kind words of welcome and an up-beat attitude, your Mom became one of the reasons that fifty some years later, I consider those to have been among the best years in both my personal and professional life. Joan proved to be the best kind of friend to me and to many others. In spite of the passage of time and the geographical distances that intervened, Joan maintained a warm, loving and consistent web of communication with many of us: I will miss her immensely.

  • June 12, 2026

    Nancy and Harold Secord and family

    We are deeply sorry for the loss of your mother and grandma. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Her memory will always remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Wishing you and your family strength, comfort and peace as you grieve.

  • June 11, 2026

    Darla Dawn

    What an absolutely phenomenal woman. I went with Joan and her daughter Sam to The Vagina Monologues and had a very open and interesting conversation afterwards 🤭 She was open to trying everything and doing anything. Remarkable. I was fortunate to see her while she was in hospital. She took my hand and said to me, "It has been very nice to know you". What an incredible gift and very touching. I am Very pleased that Joan was part of my little corner of the world. It was always a delight to see her. I will miss her vibrant presence.

  • June 11, 2026

    Andrie Gedye

    I worked with Joan at JH Sissons School in Yellowknife and we became friends and oh how she helped me, a new teacher. Her talents as a gardener , fabric artist and that cool, calm, happy face that greeted you in the Sissons office, damn, we were all lucky to know her .. I have that beautiful Xmas table runner you made and I admire every December. Thank you, friend. RIP, beautiful lady .

  • June 11, 2026

    Brenda Pickard

    I Did Joan's Hair For Many Years.I Will Miss Her Conversations. She Liked Her Hair Just Sooo!Always Took the Bus and Walked! Winter and Summer. Strong and Independent. Thats What I Loved About Joan. . Always Concerned about My Mom which is 91 and Lives in Her Own Home. My Sincere Condolences to All The Family. Brenda. Styles & Smiles Hair Design

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