On June 3, 2024, beloved wife and mother, Johanne Dick (née Decelles) passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side after a six-month battle with brain cancer. She was 66.
Johanne was born in Ottawa, Ontario on May 2, 1958, to Marcel and Geneviève Decelles. She is survived by her brother René Decelles(Linda Carey), husband Stephen, and children Christopher (Kalina Waltos) and Celena.
A military brat, Johanne spent her childhood in Germany and across Canada before her family settled in Waterloo, Québec. Shortly after graduating high school, she took a risk by moving back to Ottawa where she would build a career, meet her future husband and raise a family.
Johanne had her parents’ strong work ethic. She took night classes to learn the skills that helped her find success at Loeb and later MD Financial Management. She held the lessons from her Dale Carnegie courses especially close to her heart, and was most proud when she was able to strike up a conversation with a stranger and turn them into a friend.
Johanne valued the simple things in life the most. After retiring in 2020, she devoted her time to the things she always wanted to do—making crafts, playing guitar, learning Spanish, travelling, and having drinks on the patio with those she loved. She was always happy to "go with the flow", so long as it meant being together.
Many of her close friends affectionately nicknamed her “Dory” from Finding Nemo. This captured both the frequent laughs caused by her forgetfulness, and her determination to “just keep swimming” through life’s obstacles.
Johanne will be remembered for her unconditional love, unwavering optimism, distaste for vegetables, goofy sense of humor, and always singing along loudly even when she didn’t remember the words.
Her family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Ottawa Hospital, the Cancer Center, and Home and Community Care and Support Services for their compassion and professionalism.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Beechwood Funeral Home (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa,ON) on Friday, June 14th, 2024 at 1pm. Friends and family are welcome to share their memories and raise a glass together in her honour.
Digital Guestbook
Marsha and Lucille
Pierrette David
Je suis la tante de
Johanne
Remembering all the fun times in Goose Bay NL. Although we didn't see each other often after our separate postings, the communication was always there. Her Christmas letters were full of stories of Stephen and the kids. She was so proud of their accomplishments.
Her caring and loving shone. Going to miss her so very much.