Obituary of Joan Lewis

Joan Annette Lewis passed away at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB on May 14, 2024 at the age of 70 years.

Joan is survived by: the father of her children; Roy Naistus; children, Ernie Belly, Conroy (Celina) Naistus, Elroy Naistus, LaQuinna (Ivan Berland) Naistus, Joshua Naistus, Angel Naistus, and Sonya (Trent) Bear; brothers, Burton (Bernice) Lewis, Wesley Lewis, and Wallace Fox;  sisters, Dorothy (Noel) Cook and Gwen (Richard) Tootoosis; 37 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and numerous extended family.

Joan was predeceased by: her parents, Gabe Lewis (1994) and Annie Stick (1956); stepmother, Mary Rose Fox (1999);  son, Ferdinand Naistus (1994); daughter, Juanita Naistus (1974); sisters, Beatrice Quinney (2019), Irene Skeenum (2019) and Florence (Alice) Dillon (2009); brothers, Eric Lewis (2022) and Roy Lewis.

Joan Annette Lewis was born to Gabe Lewis & Annie Stick (Callingbull) September 7th, 1953.  She was the second youngest of 7 children.  Joan lost her mother Annie at a very young age, she often spoke of how it would have been to know her.  She often asked her older siblings on how her mother was.  She had a great desire to know her, and see if she had any of her characteristics or 
appearance.  Her father, Gabe then met her Step mother Mary Rose Fox.  Where she gained three siblings, and more step sisters and brothers.  Regardless of them not being her biological siblings, she loved and accepted them with open arms. 

Joan would often talk about her childhood and the friends she had strong bonds with.  In her younger years, Joan was very athletic.  She played all sports from Volleyball, basketball,  softball and most importantly what she spoke the most of was track.  She loved the fact that she was one of the fastest students at R.C school, and that she would even outrun older students (male/female) in races. She was an avid Calgary Flames Fan. Jerome Iginla was her favorite, she had her grandchild named after him.

In her later years of teenage life, Joan had met her husband, Roy Naistus.  Together they had seven beautiful children.  With the seven children she had lost 2, her oldest daughter, Juanita and her oldest son, Ferdinand.  She carried a great deal of grief with losing her babies.  But with the resilience she shown us, she pushed forward and never gave up on being the strong willed mother that we grew to know.  

In the early 1990’s, Joan and Roy decided to take their children on the pow wow trail.  She took so much pride in her son’s that sang with Seekaskotch, she became a wicked seamstress with regalia for the younger three who danced.  She had such a charismatic, and friendly demeanor that friendship was not hard for her to create.  She continued her friendships after she could not attend pow wows any longer. 

Joan was always warm and welcoming with whoever she met, she opened her door to many that she would adopt as her children.  She had a huge, compassionate heart.  This lead to her oldest son Ernie Belly and youngest daughter Sonya Bear.  She empathized with these two, knowing they faced the same struggle she had endured.  That is growing up without her mom.  She loved them immensely, and would take so much pride in everything they have done.  

In 2010, Joan was diagnosed with lung disease. This disease created many limitations for her, as she was always a strong willed, hard working woman. She will forever be loved and missed.

Wake Conducted From 
Onion Lake Communiplex
Onion Lake, Saskatchewan 
Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM

Funeral Service Conducted From 
Onion Lake Communiplex
Onion Lake, Saskatchewan 
Friday, May  17, 2024 at 11:00 AM