Joanne Bradley

Joanne Bradley

On the evening of September 2, 2023, Joanne Alice Merry Bradley passed away peacefully at Boundary Trails Health Centre surrounded by family, at the age of 84. 

Joanne was born in Smith Falls, Ontario to Edward (Ted) and Violet Ind in June 1939.  She completed her schooling in Ontario and worked at Eaton’s in Toronto before moving to Winnipeg, MB where she worked briefly for an Insurance Company.  Although it was all she knew, city life was not to be as her future husband realized he could turn this city girl into a country woman.  Joanne began dating the love of her life and future “forever travel companion” and marrying Wayne in October 1962.

They quickly began establishing their farming operation to what it is today.  When Joanne was not operating farm machinery alongside her husband in the fields, she enjoyed spending time working on her artistries, including needlepoint, quilting, and knitting.  No family or friend is without at least one piece of Joanne’s meticulous handy work. In the summertime, Joanne enjoyed travelling the local fair circuit, coming home with countless prize ribbons, including many first-place reds for her handmade talents. Becoming the wife of a farmer meant learning how to provide and prepare during busy planting and harvest time. Joanne planted a huge garden each spring, ensuring there would be plenty of home-grown fruits and vegetables to can and freeze for the months to follow.   

In 1977, Wayne and Joanne began following the World Curling (Silver Broom), travelling throughout North America and then Europe to watch the best curlers of the World.  Although Joanne called the colder climate home, those that knew her knew how much she loved the heat.  It didn’t take many trips to the sunny south to realize that this would soon become her vacation of choice.  Joanne then quickly recognized that by packing a larger suitcase, she could travel further; this resulted in extensive international travels, making friends world-wide, always eager to share stories of their incredible adventures and their farm back home. The past few years, after retiring from farming, they have enjoyed being “Snowbirds”, wintering in Mesa, Arizona each year.

One of Joanne’s biggest senses of pride was her yard work. Every spring through to fall, the yard looked immaculate as she and Wayne worked together to make sure everyone driving by could take in the beauty of the flowers that were cared for throughout the summer.  Their hard work was rewarded on more than one occasion as Joanne and Wayne were recognized for Best Farm Home Ground both in the District and Provincially. Throughout the years, many cats have called the Bradley farm home, but none as famous as the current head of the Bradley yard operations, Fluffy. Joanne’s love for cats was always noticeable when you pulled into the yard, with her usual one or two furry friends enjoying life on the Bradley farm.

Joanne is predeceased by her parents Ted and Violet, sisters Fran and Muriel and daughter Lori.  She is survived by her loving husband of sixty years, Wayne, daughter Tammy, grandchildren Meghan (Brad), Kirk and great-grandchildren Adrian and Maddox, as well as nephews Jim and Bill Spencer. 

Everyone is welcome to attend a Graveside Service on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 1:30pm at the Altamont Cemetery, Altamont, MB.  Following the service, family and friends are invited back to Wayne and Joanne’s farm.

Memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

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