November 27, 1933 – September 10, 2022
Joan grew up in a loving home in Norwood, with her parents, Nora and David McDowall, and her two sisters, Mary (Asselin) and Peggie (York). Joan went to King George V School and graduated from Norwood Collegiate in 1950, the Athlete of the Year. In her youth, Joan was involved and excelled in many sports; from baseball to basketball, skiing and swimming. It was at baseball at the age of 16, that she first met Jerry, the love of her life. They married on Valentines Day in 1953 and were married for over 69 years. Joan worked at Great West Life after graduating from high school, then left to raise her family. She supported Jerry in his many years of career and community service. She was committed to her family, her friends and her church and volunteered her services and talents to many organizations. Her 50+ years of membership at the St. Vital YMCA formed many relationships, which she has cherished. From her annual canoe trip to her morning swim friends, she loved her “Y Girls”. Mom was an avid swimmer. One of the accomplishments that she was most proud of was swimming across Falcon Lake in her 70s. She was a true Winnipeg sports fan. She loved the Jets, the Blue Bombers and going to Goldeyes games with Donna.
Her proudest moments were when she shared in the accomplishments of her husband, her children and her grandchildren. Mom will be remembered for her gentle kindness, her compassion, her thank you notes and her love of life.
She is survived by her husband Jerry, her children, Donna, David (Lori), Jo-Anne (Glen) and Chris (Cyndi), and her grandchildren Jordan (Joël), Danielle (Stephen), Matthew (Katie), Laura (Rees) and Brett (Meara).
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Dakota House, especially the “kids”, who she loved seeing every day, the staff at the Health Sciences Centre, including Anna and her GH3 team, and the caring and compassionate staff at the Riverview Health Centre.
In accordance with Joan’s wishes, there will not be a funeral. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Words of condolence to the family may be left in the comments below.
Rest in peace Mom. We will miss you forever.
37 thoughts on “Joan Anne Tardi (nee McDowall)”
What a stunning photograph! What a beautiful tribute. My heart goes out her family. Rest in peace dear Joan. May the pool be not crowded and may the water be the exact best temperature always.
Rest In Peace Joan. Your memory will live on as a cherished member of the Wise Y Ladies group.
Our sincerest sympathy for your loss. Al and I enjoyed spending time with both of you. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Rita Ryckenboer and family
Such a remarkable women, beautiful inside and out.
My sincere condolences to your family.
Joan Tardi was a remarkable lady and I loved her and will miss her terribly. I had the pleasure of knowing her for about 25 years and she was always smiling and happy and laughing and a pleasure to be around. Joan was such a lovely hostess and it was a treat to be invited to her home to share breakfast with the other Y ladies. She always served her homemade muffins and delicious baking so it was a real treat. Joan was beautiful inside and out and radiant at all times. Rest in peace beautiful lady you will be missed !!!!
To the Tardi family, our deepest condolences. We got to know Joan when Donna brought her to the Goldeyes Games. She had such a fabulous laugh.
Beautiful Joan, Rest in Peace.
Richard and Debra Decka
Thank you Joan for sharing a small part of your life with the Y gals. . You have left all of us with so many wonderful memories. You did not drop your paddle, but took a different course which led you to Marion and Marcelle. I hope Marcelle had your sleeping bag aired and ready in the tent you shared together over those many canoe adventures. No doubt it will be your task to create more of those GREAT Joan breakfasts….but please no more SLIM FAST bars! Once was one too many ..but we did have a good giggle! You will always be a part of our morning coffee gatherings. We celebrated your 89th birthday. You looked smashing in your NEW OUTFIT! You looked even better when you gave me a huge Joan smile as we two huddled together under a spruce tree trying to stay dry during a late afternoon rain storm .Joan, those of us still here will continue to paddle until such time as we gather together around a camp fire or in someone’s home to spend time together. Thank you Jerry and family for sharing Joan with us. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Love, Anne and Keith
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. God bless you and your family.
Maria Arruda
Our most sincere condolences to the family, we had the pleasure of meeting you and Jerry through your son Chris and you welcomed us like we knew you for years…
Rest peacefully Joan.
Our condolences and prayers go out to all of Joan’s family. Joan was such a gentle, caring and inspirational person. Her smile was infectious. She was, and still is, loved by so many. We will always remember you with love, Joan. May you Rest In Peace.
My deepest sympathy. She will surely be missed by all who were touched by her humanity & her personality.
Such a big, wide, active life, so wonderfully encapsulated by your words. And though you did mention the importance of family to Aunt Joan, what I experienced was the importance of her to the Tardi family as a whole. In fact it is hard for me to imagine what our family would have been like, had your mom not taken her place at the heart of it, the way she often did.
And it wasn’t just at the big events like the annual Boxing Day gatherings. We also felt it when talking with her while she sat with Donna at their regular Goldeyes games. She was always eager to fill us in on the family’s latest comings and goings. And she did it in a way that not only kept us in touch with her, but somehow kept us in touch with each other as well.
Yes, she will be sadly missed by us all. So on behalf of my brother Bill, my daughter Jackie, son-in-law Sean and grandson Ashley, we wish you all – Uncle Jerry, Donna, David, Jo-Anne and Chris – the warmest and most sincere condolences. And please know that Aunt Joan’s passing leaves a gigantic hole, not only in OUR hearts, but at the heart of the family she so dearly loved.
Dear Donna, Jo-Anne, Chris and families, I am very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.
May your happy memories give you comfort, strength and peace during this difficult time and in the years to come.
Heartfelt thoughts are with you.
Norma McCrea
My deepest sympathy for your loss of wife, mother and grandmother. She was a beautiful elegant and caring lady, who had a big smile and heart. She had many accomplishments but one of the biggest in her life was the wonderful family she raised. My heart goes out to all of you.
Love and Light,
Nancy H.
Our Auntie Joan was a wonderful, wonderful lady who kept in contact with the Asselin family with many calls and many letters through out her life even though we were provinces apart. The Asselin Family are all thankful for that abd will not forget her.
Auntie Joan Rest In Peace
You were truly one of the best auntie Joan. I will forever remember you for your kind and loving spirit, and I will cherish the times we had together. Thank you for always making time for family. Rest In Peace.
We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you all. We have the best memories of our summers visiting Auntie Joan’s cabin, spending time with the cousins. Though our visits were fewer as we got older, I thought so much of the loving, funny and kind person that she was, full of smiles and faith. I hope you will also laugh with the memories as you gather.
Much love to you all.
Our sincere condolences to the Tardi family. Sheila and myself always enjoyed our time with Joanie. She was very kind and always interested in our family. She always tried to see the good in people . Mark, Sheila, Shelby, Kyle and Juliette.
We are sorry for your loss. Hold tight all your beautiful memories, she sure was a special lady. Now I understand where you ladies found your passion for sports. Thinking of you all. Love Darvill family
I will remember Mrs. Tardi as vivacious and enthusiastic about whatever she was involved in. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was one of the few people who called me Jo, with affection ❤️ Your family will certainly miss her energy at every occasion. A special hug to Mr. Tardi. You two were a legend together. I’m sure your heart is aching without your soulmate. Thinking of all of you at this sad time
My condolences to the Tardi family. Your mom was a very special person with the best smile and laugh.
I will always remember Joan as a beautiful woman inside and out. Yes impacted me greatly as a small child in catechism. Her sparkling eyes and kind words always filled my soul.
To Gerry & Family,
We were so sorry to learn of Joan’s passing. She was a great friend and neighbour at Riverside Estates, bldg. 815. For many years she was involved in the building’s Social Club helping to arrange various social gatherings and looking after the clubs finances. Her leadership was much appreciated as the club worked to raise funds to furnish the Recreation Room. She will be missed by all who knew her and especially the ‘love of her life’, Gerry, the children and grandchildren.
With sincere sympathy, Larry & Mickey Kuprowski
Condolences, thoughts and prayers to Dave and family.
My sincere condolences to Jerry and family.
Joan was a wonderful lady. My heart goes out to all of you.
May you find comfort in each other
Rest In Peace!! Joan
My sincere condolences to Chris and Cyndi and the rest of the Tardi family. It’s been many years but I still remember your moms warm and friendly smile. Stay strong.
Greg Romaniuk
My deepest sympathy to all your family. Your mom was a special lady, I was lucky to have known her.
Donna. S
I was so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, Jo-Anne. It sounds like she lived a wonderful and interesting life. We’re thinking of you and your family and offering sincere condolences.
Sincere condolences in the loss of your Mom. What a beautiful tribute. God bless. Vernelle
Our deepest condolences to you Jo-Anne and family on the loss of your mother.
Sincerely, Jacquie Poersch-Burns
Heaven has a new angel and heaven got a little bit better because of you, Mrs. T. You and Mr T always made me feel welcomed into your home and a part of your family for which I will always treasure. You’re an honourable woman and one heck of a lady. May flights of angels see thee to thy rest. Rest In Peace.
Our sincere sympathy to you Jerry and the entire Tardi family. We met you many years ago through the Master Brewers Association. Joan was such an accepting, hospitable person. We remember her smile and cheery laugh. We appreciated both of you especially working on conventions. Over the years we have thought of you both. We enjoyed the telephone call with you both a few years ago. Even though many years have past, some people just remain a happy memory. You and Joan are tucked in our memory bank.
May peace be with you, Jerry and your family. And may Joan Rest In Peace. Bob and Muriel Kenyon
My deepest and sincere sympathies to Donna and Family especially Jerry.
Joan was beautiful inside and out. A Woman of Substance!
Joan and I met at my first foray into the Y pool in 2006. If I remember correctly, I was in her lane. If you are a swimmer at the Y, you know what that means. Being the kind and gracious woman she was, she welcomed me, we chatted often at the pool and found common ground.
I treasure the times we had at the Y’s Women’s functions and at their home. Always ready for fun, laughter and course always with makeup and her signature lipsticks perfectly applied. Donna once told me she would not go to the hospital without her makeup on! I will endeavour to carry on your tradition, Joan.
Dear Joan, you will be missed, but NEVER forgotten.
Rest In Peace
Marilyn Atkinson
Deepest sympathy to Jerry and all the family on Joan’s passing.
We had the pleasure of getting to know her at St. Timothy’s Church.
She and Jerry were always very warm and friendly and we enjoyed the get togethers with them along with our church group.
May she Rest In Peace.
Phil and Josie
kmonty48@icloud.com
So many wonderful memories of Joan, an enthusiastic, supportive and loving mom of two of my all time favourite students, a great neighbour on Lawndale and a forever friend.. Joan was one of a kind, a special lady with a beautiful smile and a kind heart. Gerry, our hearts go out to you and to all of your family.
Mr. Tardi and Family
It has been many years since Consolidated Bathurst and I often think of you both.
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Randy & Carol Taman
So many memories of Joan, her love and caring nature. She had such a joy for life and the ability to make us feel special. She was such a wonderful lady and her legacy will live on in her daughters and children. Rest in peace dear friend.
My condolences to you and your families.
Gillian Giles