Jo-Anne Checkley (nee Barke)
1959 - 2011
Suddenly on Saturday October 29, 2011 at Nanaimo General Hospital in Nanaimo, BC, Jo-Anne Checkley passed away.
Born in Morden, MB Jo-Anne was the youngest of five children who were raised on the family farm north of Thornhill, MB. On September 27, 1980, Jo-Anne married Daryl Checkley of Manitou, MB. They shared their lives with their two precious daughters, Jaime, born in 1981 and Kayla born in 1983.
Jo-Anne had an array of interesting jobs and things that captivated her life which led her to live in many different places and allowed her many life experiences. Upon graduation, she obtained her Real Estate Certificate. She worked at the Tupperware plant in Morden soon afterward. In 1991, she and her daughters moved to Calgary, AB where she worked for a Temp Agency. She then was led to Sydney, Australia where she worked for New Holland Publishing Co. for three years. For a period of four years, she lived in Atlanta, GA. In the past eight years, she has enjoyed her home in Nanaimo, BC working for Coastal Community Credit Union. There, she made many friends and was a positive influence at her work place. Jo-Anne had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel to experience new cultures. She loved outdoor adventures such as kayaking, white water rafting, dragon boat racing and hiking. She had a passion for reading and learning as displayed by her large book collection. Jo-Anne was passionate about all of her endeavors. She was a positive, fun-loving, kind and caring person with an infectious smile that could light up any room.
Jo-Anne was predeceased by her husband, Daryl in 1990, her parents, Eric and Gertrude Barke, father-in-law, Alvin Checkley. Left to cherish fond memories are Jaime of Atlanta, GA, Kayla of Nanaimo, BC, mother-in-law, Helen Checkley of Manitou, MB, siblings, Linda (Doug) Griffin of Darlingford, Delilah (Glen) Kippen of Winnipeg, Larry (Giselle) Barke of Winnipeg and Alvin (Colleen) Barke of Thornhill as well as uncles, aunts, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by family, friends and her dog, Zoe.
Memorial service was held on Wednesday November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church in Morden with interment prior at Manitou Cemetery.
When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in the gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
For this is the journey that we must take,
And each must go alone,
It’s all part of the master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden
In care of arrangements,