Obituary of Jo-Ann Marion Boyd

Jo-Ann Marion Boyd (nee Setterlund), age 87, of Burlington Ontario passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, at Emmanuel House Hospice in Hamilton.

She was born December 29^th, 1937, in Wadena Saskatchewan to Opal and Jorlie (Joe) Setterlund.  Much of her strong character and her hardiness came from growing up on the farm and surviving the brutal winters. Many stories originated with taking the horse & dray to school through blizzards. She credited Tommy Douglas for bringing electricity to the farm and healthcare for the people!

After completing high school in Wadena, Jo-Ann attended nursing school at Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw, graduating from the class of 1959. She was a dedicated and thoughtful nurse from the beginning in pediatrics through her retirement from long-term care management. She often spoke of her training with the nuns and how on occasion she’d get a good rap on the knuckles!

It is in Moose Jaw where she met her husband of 50 years, (John) Ross Boyd.  They had two daughters (Stacey and Cory) in Saskatchewan before moving out east to Ontario where they had their third daughter, Tara.  Truth be told, she always considered the prairies home.   Jo-Ann was known for her strength and resilience, but also for her compassion which she demonstrated in her everyday life as well as through her volunteer work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the breakfast program at Wesley in Hamilton. Her great joys included spending time with her grandchildren and newest member of the Boyd family, her great grandson! She enjoyed nurturing her plants and gardens and became quite an expert at researching her ancestry.  She delighted in learning about her Swedish roots and proudly shared all she had learned with her family.

She had a special relationship with her PSW Maria and her nephrology team at Oakville Trafalgar Hospital. Her family wishes to extend thanks and gratitude to them for taking such good care over the last couple of years.

Jo-Ann is survived by her daughters Stacey (Hunter), Cory (Shawn) and Tara (Allan); grandchildren Mackenzie, Cameron and Casey; great grandson Jett as well as many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents Joe and Opal, husband Ross, brothers George (Marion) and Garnet (Louise) and sister Irene (Don).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Brant Hills Presbyterian Church, 2138 Brant Street, Burlington on January 16^th @ 11 AM. There will be coffee and sandwiches served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

• Wesley: Wesley.ca/giving/donate
• Emmanuel House Hospice: goodshepherdcentres.ca/donate-to-emmanuel-house