IONA GRACE JOLLIFFE
October 14, 1929 – June 25, 2024
It is with much love and sad hearts that the family announces Iona’s passing on June 25, 2024 at the Westlock Continuing Care at the age of 94 years.
Iona was born in Legal, Alberta and raised on the lakeshore of Long Lake at Grosmont, with 10 siblings and her parents. At the age of 18 she married Eddie Jolliffe and they lived in Grosmont and Spurfield bush camps before settling on a farm 9 miles southwest of Fawcett. From 1953 to 1978 they raised their 4 children on the farm. In 1979 our parents divorced and mom spent the next 45 years in the Westlock area. She worked at the Courtyard at the Westlock Inn until she turned 70. She lived at the Lynes acreage in her little white house for 17 years and then moved to the Westlock Legion Villa for 14 years. She spent the last 6 years in Pembina and Smithfield Lodges. Finally, with failing health she moved into Westlock Continuing Care this past April. Mom loved happy people, she never liked being around sadness or negativity. Nothing seemed to stress her and I’m sure that is why she lived such a healthy long life. She loved travel, bingo and dancing. Visiting Hawaii and Arizona several times, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and Florida. She played oodles of bingo and danced at the Westlock Legion. She loved the good times with her family and her friends. Her life was full.
A beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She leaves to celebrate a life well lived: her 4 children – Dwaine (Joan) Jolliffe, Darleen (Ken) Lynes, Darryl (Brenda) Jolliffe and Donna (deceased) (Brian) Turner; 11 grandchildren – Dawn (Paul) Properzi, Derek Jolliffe (deceased), Kevin (Melissa) Lynes, Kelsie (Mike) Lynes, Devin (Brittany) Jolliffe, Debra Jolliffe, Rachel (Brad) Jolliffe, Brett Turner, Ryan Turner, Kyle Turner and Tori Turner. 12 great-grandchildren – Taylor (Rebeca), Abraham, Seth, Adam, JJ Properzi; Colin Weber; Hadyn, Kenley, Hunter Lynes; Savanna, Madison Jardine; Avenley Arthur. 2 surviving siblings – Wayne (Brenda) Jordan and Leah Burchett.
Predeceased by her loving daughter, Donna Turner (2023), grandson, Derek Jolliffe (1998), the Jordan brothers – Bud, Vince, Owen, Clement, Edgar and sisters –Norma Campbell, Dodie Jones, and Fern Winkle. Parents Edgar Jordan (Junck) and Grace Toane.
Mom donated her body to the University of Alberta, Anatomical Program. It was Iona’s wish not to have a funeral. Mom would have been thrilled with the beautiful Honour Guard that the staff at the Westlock Continuing Care held for her to the music of Amazing Grace. Our thanks to them for such a thoughtful gesture. It was the ultimate perfect ending to mom’s final departure.
