Joanne Venner nee MacDonald of Joggins & husband

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VENNER, Joanne Elizabeth (MacDonald) Died January 23, 2011 in Truro. Born November 12, 1942 in Advocate and raised in Joggins by loving parents, Joanne was the first in her family to attend university, receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University in 1964. Summer work took her to Jasper Park Lodge where she met her future husband Michael Venner. Outside of a short stint in Ottawa where she worked with the Canadian Union of Students, Western Canada would remain her home until the 1990s. Living in Edmonton, Saskatoon and White Rock, BC, Joanne made her mark on each location with her volunteer work, entertaining and with the many friends who blessed her lifetime. Joanne had a unique gift for making friends and evoked community wherever she lived. In Edmonton she established herself as a popular caterer with her company Venerable Feast which travelled with Joanne to her various homes. In 1993 she and her husband, a trustee in bankruptcy, moved back to Nova Scotia where they set up Venner and Associates. She worked as office manager for the business until it was sold in 2006. Joanne had been actively involved in the Newcomers Club since she first moved to Saskatoon in 1984. Upon arrival in Truro, she discovered no such organization so she quickly set about establishing a successful club. In recent years her hobbies have included Mahjong, gathering with friends and swimming in the Northumberland Strait. Joanne is survived by her daughters Ellen Venner-Hiltz (Dr. Gregory Hiltz) and Megan Venner (WO Scott Beeston), by beloved grandchildren Carter, Madeline, Griffin and Broden Hiltz; and Samantha, Isaac and Eric Beeston. She is also survived by her birth mother, Beth McGillis (Hicks); half-siblings Jack McGillis and Karen Moscaluck. She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years Michael Venner, her parents Irving and Dorothy MacDonald and her in-laws Albert and Marjorie Venner. Visitation will be held in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and an open floor will be offered at 8:00 p.m. for anyone wishing to share fond memories or thoughts of Joanne. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Church Street, Truro on Saturday, January 29th at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. If desired, donations may be made to the Colchester-East Hants Community Hospice Society (902)673-2285 or a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.colchestercommunity.com
Published in The Edmonton Journal on January 27, 2011

VENNER, Michael John Evelyn. Died June 29, 2006, Truro, Nova Scotia. Born October 26, 1943 in Bath, England, he immigrated to Canada with his family in 1955 via Pier 21 in Halifax, settling in Jasper, Alberta where his father was physician for the area and Jasper Park Lodge. He attended Mount Royal College in Calgary and earned a BSc from Utah State University on a ski scholarship. He pursued a business career in Edmonton, later becoming a licensed Trustee in Bankruptcy, and a partner in Touche-Ross Limited. His career took him to Saskatoon and Vancouver, culminating in his own practice in Truro, NS, which continued until shortly before his death. He was active in several provincial insolvency associations as well as the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals. He skied competitively throughout high school and university, later coaching the alpine ski team at the Edmonton Ski Club. His hobbies included sailing, renovating the cottage, world travel and trying new recipes. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Joanne (MacDonald) Venner, Truro, daughters Ellen Venner-Hiltz (Dr. Gregory Hiltz), Dartmouth, Megan Venner (Sgt. Scott Beeston), Kingston, NS, beloved grandchildren Carter, Madeline and Griffin Hiltz and Samantha and Isaac Beeston. He is also survived by his maternal uncle, Col. Michael Jeffery, Clitheroe, England and brothers, Paul (Lynne), Whistler, Dr. Peter (Mary Anne), Simon (Deborah), Edmonton and Phillip (Bridget), Houston, Texas and nephews and nieces Christopher, Julie, Alexandra, Georgia, Jeffery, and Clare of Edmonton, Allison of Calgary, and Matthew and Luke of Houston, Leah Hunter, Vancouver, Tracy Cruz, Mitchell and Kerry Hunter, Whistler. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Marjorie Venner, and his in-laws Irving and Dorothy MacDonald. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Truro, Nova Scotia on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 11 am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colchester-East Hants Community Hospice Society (902) 673-2285 or a charity of choice..
Published in The Edmonton Journal on June 30, 2006

Penny Lane, Sept. 2012