Joan Loone AM
Deloraine has paid its respects to Joan Loone (nee Sandman) who died in July.
At her funeral at St Marks Anglican Church, Mrs Loone was described as ‘an icon of the community and family, a great lady.’
Granddaughter Erin Roles said her Ma-Ma was ‘a combination of warmth and kindness, giggles and love, who praised our every success.’
Almost 97 when she died at Deloraine Hospital, Mrs Loone supported the hospital being built and in 1969 was an inaugural member of its auxiliary.
Mrs Loone lived at Kanangra for the past 10 months. When sent to the LGH, all she wanted to do was to return to Deloraine Hospital, granddaughter Liz said.
‘Coming back to Deloraine Hospital it was like she knew she was home, and calmly went off to sleep.’
Mrs Loone’s community work was recognised in the 1999 Queen’s honours, when she was invited to join the Order of Australia for her service to the community, particularly in the promotion and delivery of services providing for the welfare of the aged, people with disabilities and the development of youth.
‘She was dedicated to making others happy,’ Liz said.
‘She visited residents of St Mark’s Court in Deloraine and gave thousands of hours to Kanangra.’
Mrs Loone was also a founding member of the Deloraine Ladies Probus Club and her long association with Deloraine Football Club, began in the 1940s when her father was treasurer and secretary. Her late husband Roy later was president.
Mrs Loone took up painting late in life and at the tender age of 92 exhibited ‘Spring has arrived’ in the 2016 Meandering exhibition.
Sophie Roles reflected Mrs Loone’s love of family and community, saying she was ‘a walking encyclopedia of Deloraine’.
‘She showed me much about strength and how to be an independent woman.’
Mrs Loone is interred at Deloraine Lawn Cemetery.
