Joanne Elaine Bandura

It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne Elaine Bandura, aged 65 years of Lloydminster, AB, announce her sudden and unexpected passing on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Joanne was born on August 11, 1956, at Roblin, MB, to Edward “Ed” and Katherine “Katie/Kay” (nee Ostapowich) Bandura, the second of seven children.

Joanne obtained her primary and secondary education at schools in Foam Lake, SK, and Pelly, SK. She moved to Winnipeg, MB, then on to Saskatoon, SK to complete post-secondary education in hair dressing. She started her hair dressing career in Canora, SK, and continued in Brooks, AB. After working for several years in Alberta, Joanne returned to Pelly, SK, and opened her own salon, JB Hair Hut.

This last move is where she met the love of her life, Larry Owchar. He became her life partner and together, they were an amazing team who spent countless hours building their homestead south of Pelly, SK. They worked hard farming, beautifying the yard, and having fun through the seasons on the snow or at the lake.

Joanne’s first priority in life were family and friends. She was always there to give support and lend a helping hand. She was an amazing woman with many talents, including gardening, landscaping, painting, and doing crafts of every kind. Everything she tackled would be completed to perfection. Joanne had amazing cooking skills. She was prepared to feed 50 people at the drop of a hat, with freezers and cold storages full and ready at all times. She had many friends far and wide, whom she kept in contact with and always made time to visit. Although she wasn’t a natural mother to any children, her nieces, nephews and many other children became hers to love. Joanne was a great role model and was always there to help them or have loads of fun with, at any celebration.

Her outgoing personality left a lasting impression on all those she crossed paths with. In August 2016, Joanne was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. She refused to let it slow her down. However, it was during this time that she also lost her soul mate. In February 2017, Larry lost his battle with cancer, which was devastating for Joanne. Losing him was very difficult, but her strong and determined personality got her through his loss, one day at a time, and she still managed to overcome her diagnosis.

Then, she decided to move to Lloydminster, AB, to be closer to her siblings.  This proved to be a great decision that allowed her to be in constant contact with all those whom she loved and adored so much. Joanne met some amazing people in her new community. It didn’t take her long to start having fun with the families that surrounded her. She enjoyed her new home at Lloydminster, AB, and had many plans to improve her surroundings. Her new home became a focal point for family and friends to gather.

Joanne’s caring, giving, loving, and welcoming personality will be missed by many, but especially by her siblings and their families: RICK (Carol) Bandura of Red Deer, AB, and family: Crystal (Randy) Antonishyn and children Sarah, Hannah, and Ryan of Blackfalds, AB; and Melissa (Scott) Herbst and children Addisyn and Evan of Calgary, AB; DENNIS (Lenora) Bandura of McLaughlin, AB, and family: Amanda (Morgan) Bandura of Calgary, AB; Ashley (Jordan) Bandura of Lloydminster, SK; and Cory (Nicole) Bandura and children Zoey and Oliver of Lloydminster, SK; TERESA (Mike) Deyneka of Vermilion, AB, and family: Clayton (Jennifer) Deyneka and children Ayssen and Kyla of Bredenbury, SK, and Shaelynn (Reece) of Hyas, SK; and Sean (Caleb) Deyneka of Regina, SK; MIKE (Clair) Bandura of Spruce Grove, AB, and family: Kiera, Ethan, and Kaden Bandura of Sherwood Park, AB;  Cassidy (Derek) Hammonds and son Hunter of Spruce Grove, AB; and Hailee Mann of Edmonton, AB; LORI ANN’s son Jupiter Bandura of Lloydminster, AB; and LORNE (Nicole) Bandura of Lloydminster, AB, and family: Brittany (Myles) Bandura and son Kasen of Hinton, AB; Mikayla and Madisson Bandura of Lloydminster, AB; and Brayden Barrett of Lloydminster, SK; sisters-in-law and their families: KAREN (Mervin) Shabatowski of Esterhazy, SK, and family: Kelly (Jeff) Nahorniak of Kelowna, BC; and Jackie (Perry) Faul and children Maci and Ainsley of Martensville, SK; and KATHY (Lloyd) Fissel of Pelly, SK, and family: Stacy (Rick) Fortner and children Zoey and Owen of Kronau, SK; and Rick Fissel of Pelly, SK; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her partner Larry Owchar; parents Ed and Katie Bandura; sister Lori Ann Bandura; and parents-in-law Joe and Mary Owchar.

A Celebration Of Life was held on February 26, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. from Rolling Green Fairways in Lloydminster, AB, with a Graveside Service at a later date at Riverview Cemetery Columbarium A in Kamsack, SK. Memorial donations may be directed to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.