CARR, Joan
October 11, 1952 – February 9, 2020
…to act justly, to love faithfully and to walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Susan Carr. Joan is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Kevin Carr; their children Sue (Bill), Jim, Patrick (Young-hee); grandchildren Bob, Laura (Kyle), and Mitch; her brother Jim; numerous relatives, friends, and cherished colleagues. Joan was predeceased by her parents Jack and Julia.
Joan lived out her vocation to Catholic education in service to Edmonton Catholic Schools (ECSD). She began her career, which spanned 45 years, as a kindergarten teacher. After several years in the classroom, Joan then served the Division in many senior leadership positions including Consultant for Special Education Services, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, and various Human Resources roles. She also served the province through a secondment to Alberta Education.
Upon her return to ECSD, Joan undertook school-based leadership as Principal of St. Richard Catholic School before returning to Division level service as Director of Educational Planning and Administrative Services, Assistant Superintendent, and ultimately as Superintendent of Edmonton Catholic Schools. She led the Division for 14 years.
Joan will always be known and loved as a person with a passion for Catholic education and for providing students with a broad spectrum of faith-based programming to choose from in order to reach their fullest potential. This has established the character of ECSD as one which provides for personalized programming to engage student gifts, talents, and passions through high quality Catholic educational experiences. Most of all, Joan loved bringing students, staff, and families into closer relationship with Jesus.
Joan’s visionary leadership has created a culture of excellence in ECSD. Service to students was a primary focus and resulted in the establishment of innovative centres that provide wraparound services for students and families by creating the potential for engaging community partners.
Her superlative leadership and service to Catholic education and the broader community garnered many recognitions. Joan was the recipient of the Newman Theological College Chancellor’s Award (2019), the ACSTA Appreciation Award (2018), CASSA Canadian Superintendent of the year (2016), Alberta EXL Award for Excellence in the Superintendency (2016), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and an organizational recipient of Alberta’s Top Employers (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
Joan had a special commitment to the Indigenous community and to ensuring that students had the opportunity to experience the richness of authentic, culturally relevant educational opportunities. She understood the importance of and greatly valued the wisdom and counsel of the Elders. In honor of her work for Indigenous children, the Elders gave her the Cree spirit name Asiniy Achakos Iskwew, a name which she carried in her heart.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at St. Joseph Basilica, 10044 -113 Street, NW. It will be livestreamed at: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/joan-carr?pass=57087c8bcd0139f6eec1badf6d9d560f
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kevin and Joan Carr Endowment Fund with the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation, www.ecsfoundation.ca.
Margaret McCaffery says
Dear Kevin
I am so sorry for your loss.
I shall always remember that Jim and Joan had the Sacrament of the sick the same day,
You were a fabulous couple, super people ,so many accomplishments. My sincere condolences .
Margie McCaffery
Harry and Judy Buddle and Family says
Joan and Kevin…you are both leaders in our Catholic Community.in school, church and academic centres. Joan you will never be forgotten throughout our very special School District…you made a huge difference, in every way. May God reward your good works, and exemplary leadership…be with Him in Heaven. ❤️
Gerry and Jeanette Connelly says
Kevin, our deepest sympathies to you and family.
Aimee Anderson says
Kevin and family, Joan was such an inspiration to me. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aimee Anderson
Connelly-McKinley
rory j koopmans says
Joanie Carr wrote me a handwritten letter on ECSD stationary to appear before the ECSD Board to try & get a school named in honour of my late mom June who taught in Edmonton Public Schools. This was ever so kind as I am not even Catholic but was a friend of the late Catholic Trustee John Patrick Day. Now John Patrick & mom can take Joanie around Heaven so she can see how great it is to be free of pain & enjoy the laudits and tributes she deserves for her great Catholic educational promotional efforts. The ECSD Board actually gave the Edmonton Public Board a support letter so I’m forever in Joanie Carr’s debt, deepest sympathies! I will miss her as will many others!
Jeannette Filthaut SP says
Dear Kevin and family,
You are all in our prayers as you grieve the loss of Joan. Her legacy is left in the great work she accomplished for the Edmonton Catholic School System over her 45 years of teaching and administration. Joan made many diverse groups of people feel welcome. May the memories you hold dear bring you some consolation at this time. Sister Jeannette Filthaut SP
Alba Esposito-Brady says
Deepest condolences, Kevin and Family. Joan leaves a beautiful legacy of hard work, passion for and commitment to children and Catholic Education.
Clint Moroziuk says
My prayers and deepest condolences to the Carr family and the staff of Edmonton Catholic Schools during this difficult time. May God bless and keep you during this time of loss and always.
Art & Linda McIntyre says
So very to hear of your loss Kevin . Joan was a beacon of light to Edmonton Catholic, Deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jessie says
Dear Joan,
You’re sailing now
Free from the pain
You laid that burden down,
But your strong and giving heart,
Will surely be your crown
As you slip the surly bonds of earth
And sail away.
I will miss you.
With deepest sympathies to her family.
Karen denis says
Kevin, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Joan was a wonderful person and we loved working with her. Karen & Gilles Denis
Loretta Foley says
I send my heartfelt condolences Kevin
It is a tough time for you as I am sure you were both looking forward to some retirement time together
God had other plans
Special prayers for you all on Saturday
God bless
Loretta Foley
Victoria BC
Brenda Willis says
Dear Kevin It is with heavy hearts that Ray and I send you our deepest condolences. I hold many inspired memories of working with Joan in support of her special dream for Catholic Education. It was truly an honour to walk the path of Catholic Education alongside Joan for so many years. Ray and I will keep you and Joan in our thoughts and prayers always.
Brenda Willis
Linda Deans says
Kevin, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will cherish the years I worked with Joan.
Debbie and John Doornbos says
Dear Kevin and family
Words are very hard to express at a time like this. Our hearts go out to you at the loss of Joan. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the love and prayers of all of us carry you and bring some comfort in the days ahead. Joan was a remarkable woman and she will be dearly missed.
Yvette Houle says
Dear Kevin,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Although Joan was here on earth just a short while, she truly represented the goodness of God. She was a beacon of His light while among us. May you find comfort knowing she is home resting in His loving arms.
Al and Jeanne Barlage says
Dear Kevin,
Jeanne and I wish to pass on our deepest sympathies to you and the family.
Always personable and friendly , Joan was great to work with, a very special person.
Jim and Bette Anne Edwards says
Dear Kevin,
Jim and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Joan had a mission for Edmonton Catholic Schools and worked with energy, diligence, and patience to fulfill that mission. She will be greatly missed.
Jim and Bette Anne Edwards
Monica Plamondon says
To Joan’s family:
As an employee and President of of Edmonton Catholic Schools Support staff at Edmonton Catholic Schools, I feel honoured to have known such a wonderful person. She helped me lead, she was a good listener and knew how to compromise. The encouragement, of her messages and vision of catholicism of our purpose in serving God through our work in our schools no matter the profession was beautiful. The support “you”her family gave her, was definitely a benefit to all of us.
I am so saddened of this news, but thank God for our faith she will live amongst us forever.
Norma Jani says
Dear Kevin and Family,
My deepest sympathies to you all. I am grateful that
I had the opportunity to work for such a great female
Catholic leader. I always looked forward to her August
Message for those of us in Administration at ECSD. I was
amazed at her work ethic to bring us inspiring messages to
start each school year. I was reminded at Joan’s funeral
by one of my former teachers, Joan did a lot for female
leadership In Catholic Education. I will be forever grateful
for her support and guidance. Thank you both for supporting
our opportunities at Newman Theological College. You have built a wonderful legacy that I pray continues to grow in the future.
I do hope that the prayers from all of us at ECSD will help
you and your family at this difficult time.
May God Bless you!
Norma Jani