Joanne (Jo) (Lapointe) Gerein

We are broken hearted to share that Joanne Gerein, age 64, of Ashcroft, B.C. died April 18, 2023.

Joanne was born May 10, 1958 at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C. to John Arnold (“Jack”) and Marjorie Esther (née Lowe) Lapointe. She lived in Surrey, B.C. until 1965, when at seven years of age her family moved to Ashcroft, where she remained for her lifetime.  She worked in banking for most of her working life, starting at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, moving to the Bank of Montreal and finally the Interior Savings Credit Union. Joanne was beloved by her customers and she shared her beautiful smile with all who met her.

She grew up with her three sisters in the “house that Jack built” and Jill and Judy were thrilled to have a little sister they could mentor, dress up and play with. Joanne took the mentoring to heart and many an hour was spent in that “little back bedroom” trying to pass her many skills onto her little sister, Janice. Later she dug Janice out of trouble more than once. Even after moving to different houses and towns, the “J’s” shared a family ‘ESP’ that connected them over the miles.

Her two daughters, Kendell and Carly, were born in Ashcroft and were her pride and joy. They depended on her for wisdom, advice, support, and friendship - often seeking comfort in her contagious laugh.  She loved to tell her nieces and nephews stories and followed their lives with interest. She was Auntie Jo or Auntie Wanny to so many. She adored her grandchildren whom she showered with gifts and cared for with love. A special bond existed with “Nana Jo” that could not be broken. She had an intense love of animals, always having pets in her home. Joanne and Dale’s dogs, Chappie and Pepper guarded over her to her last days.

Joanne was a kind, gentle woman with a quiet sense of humour and a quick wit, her father’s daughter. She enjoyed music; she and Dale spent many hours playing guitars and singing with friends and family. She was a talented artist and decorated the windows of the banks with seasonal paintings, while many children happily let her paint their faces or draw them pictures to colour. Stars adorned her home and now, Joanne is the sparkliest star in our skies.

She is survived by her soul-mate; Dale Thompson of Ashcroft, her children; Kendell (Brian) Elliott of Kamloops, Carly Gerein of Merritt and their father; Tom Gerein of Ashcroft, Dale’s children; Kolton Thompson of Kamloops and Sterling (Alex) Thompson of Prince George, her sisters; Jill (Gordy) Bewza of Chase, Judy (Ken) Klassen of Kamloops, and Janice Dobson of Sorrento. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Peyton, Avery, Everleigh, Grayson and Bryce, her cousins; Lynne and Diane, and by her many nieces and nephews.

Joanne is predeceased by her parents; Marj and Jack Lapointe and her brother-in-law, John Dobson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

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