Joan MCKILLOP

TAIT, Joan (nee McKillop) November 23, 1936 - November 30, 2008 Joan Tait ended her long battle with cancer on Sunday evening at Foothills Hospital, in the company of her family. Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and raised in Calgary, Joan was predeceased by her father, Duncan Sr., her mother Alva, and her baby brother, Colin. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-two years, David; daughter Diana Ratcliffe (Brickard); sons Garth (Lael) of Denver and Bruce (Erin) of Minneapolis; brother Duncan McKillop Jr. (Barbara) of Calgary; sister Midge McKillop of Black Diamond; grandchildren Damon and Kristin Ratcliffe of Calgary and Phineas and Wyatt Tait of Minneapolis; seven nieces and nephews and twenty-six cousins. Joan's spirit and determination extended a bleak original prognosis into fourteen years of a very rich life. She credits the care and support of her husband for a quality of life that otherwise would not have been possible. Her children and grandchildren continued to imbue her days with hope and anticipation. After attending Hillhurst Junior High and Crescent Heights High School, she attended several universities in Canada and the U.S. She was well known in Calgary as an educator and touched the lives of many children and young adults as a gymnastics teacher, and elementary school teacher. Later, she worked as a political science lecturer, department head and speech-writer for the Premier of Manitoba. She obtained her BA in Public Administration at the University of Winnipeg and her MA in Political Science at the University of Manitoba. Joan was the first woman in her family to receive a post-graduate degree. The last years of her career were spent as an employment counselor to those whose careers had been interrupted. Joan will be remembered for her assertive, intellectual approach to life and her dedication to her family and community. A Funeral Service will be held at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery) today, December 5, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to your favorite charity. The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation for the care given by Doctors Teresa Trotter, Marie Stevenson and Alexander Paterson, as well as Health Care's Carol Boyer, Renata Konda and Lori Radke and Hawkwood Medicine Shoppe's Linda Janzen, along with all of their support staffs, for their care, consideration and unflagging support. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.mem.com . FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORIUM. Telephone: 403-297-0888 Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial Published in the Calgary Herald from 12/3/2008- 12/5/2008