We do not mourn as those without hope, yet it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of JOANNE AGNES SAWILLA, our beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and beloved wife of the late Elias Sawilla. Surrounded by loving family, she went peacefully to be with Jesus on June 23, 2011, at the age of 71 years, after a valiant battle against cancer. Joanne was born in Regina on October 22, 1939, to Joseph and Anne Wolfe. She was the oldest of 3 girls and 3 boys. As a young girl she excelled in playing the accordion, won many awards, and, after she completed her music courses, was brought on as an accordion teacher at Ray Hunker Accordion Studio in Regina. After graduating from Bosco High School in 1958, she completed secretarial training and was then employed as an executive secretary at Co-op Creamery. She married Elias on September 15, 1962, and she thoroughly enjoyed devoting herself to being a full-time homemaker. They had her first three children in Regina, before the family moved to Lethbridge in 1970, where they had three more children. There, she supported her husband and applied her administrative talents to help build the family business, Sawilla Renovations. Her optimism and faith never wavered after her husband's passing in 1987; she entrusted her family and life to God and loved Him with all her heart, reading the Bible and praying continually. She found great pleasure in caring for her children and grandchildren, always listening to, encouraging, and praying for them. Spending time with family was her ideal vacation, whether camping or visiting them wherever they may be. She volunteered countless hours playing accordion and singing Christian songs in nursing homes, making sandwiches for the poor, visiting the homebound and running their errands, and organizing the seniors birthday club at church. She spent many years volunteering in children's ministry, and especially apparent was her love for all God's creatures. She was always hospitable and enjoyed gardening, baking, and celebrating special days. She genuinely cared for people and looked for ways to show care and compassion, always remembering the details of whatever was important to those she spoke with. Joanne made a profound and significant impact on every life she touched and will be missed beyond measure.

Joanne is survived by her mother, Anne Wolfe of Saskatoon; 5 children, Siglinde (Trevor) Hoffmann of Penticton, Elisa (Keith) Wickersham of Lethbridge, Rolanda (Blaine) Egger of Lethbridge, Reginald (Darcie) Sawilla of Ottawa, Janella (Chad) Thiessen of Lethbridge; 24 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings, Gertrude (Henry) Klammer of Kelowna, Delores Wolfe of Saskatoon, Douglas Wolfe of Saskatoon, Clifford (Blanche) Wolfe of Saskatoon, Joseph (Gillian) Wolfe of Orlando; 2 brothers-in-law, Karl Sawilla of Regina, and Ralph Sawilla of St. Louis; 1 sister-in-law, Gertrude Lummerding of St. Louis; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. Besides her loving husband, Joanne was predeceased by her father, Joseph Wolfe, daughter, Katrina, and granddaughter, Heidi Hoffmann.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, June 27, 2011 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 318 10th Street South, Lethbridge, with Father John Kohler, celebrant.

Interment at Mountain View Cemetery.