August 10, 1921 – July 12, 2020 - It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mom and nana, Winnifred (Joan) Rous (nee Moor), who passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the Ontario Finnish Rest Home with family by her side; just one month short of her 99th birthday.
Beloved wife of the late Rowland (Rolly) Rous. Mother of Christopher Rous and Becky Pottekkat (Pav). Proud grandmother of Katie, Maya (Alex), and Alex Pottekkat, Matthew and David Rous, and Marc Cyr, and many nieces and nephews from the Moor and Rous families in the Sault, Ontario and British Columbia. Daughter of the late Jessie and Charles Moor and sister of the late Bill Moor (June).
Joan worked for the Department of Lands and Forest as an executive assistant in the 1940’s after graduating from Shaw Business College in Toronto. When she and Rolly were expecting Chris, she resigned from her position to be a fulltime mother to Chris and Becky. She also played a supporting role in the operations of Travelade Motors, owned and operated by Rolly and Bill, which later became Golden Mile Motors. When Rolly retired, Joan went back to work at the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma as a secretary which she enjoyed until her retirement at age 67.
In the 1960’s she was involved with millinery (women’s hat making) and her hats won first prize at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). In Joan’s late 70’s she took up watercolour painting and attended weekly classes that she enjoyed into her early 90’s. Many of her family and friends have paintings by Joan hanging in their homes.
Joan is the last one of the 21 original families on Reid Street after the war, building two homes there with her family. She is also the last one of the 13 original families who bought property at Pancake Bay in the 1940’s, where she enjoyed time with her family and friends over the years; especially with the “Pancake Girls”. Joan’s family will continue to treasure their time at the cottage and cherish the wonderful years they spent there with her.
Joan’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Eitel Beduhn and to the staff at the Ontario Finnish Rest Home (Mauno Kaihla Koti, MKK) for their compassion and friendship to Joan and her family.
Memorial donations (payable by cheque or online) to St. Luke’s Cathedral, The Ontario Finnish Resthome Foundation, the City of Sault Ste. Marie Cultural Endowment Fund, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by Joan’s family.
Due to COVID-19, a private family service will be held at the Columbarium at St. Luke’s Cathedral, where Joan will rest eternally with her husband, Rolly, and her best friend, Yerda Connon. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Please visit Arthur Funeral Home website obituaries to leave memories and condolences as a keepsake for the family.
Each life is infinitely precious.
And we are richer
For having been touched by it.