Joan Mcinnes

Joan Sorensen McInnes, age 85, passed away peacefully with family by her side, in Denver, Colorado on August 22, 2020.  Joan led a long active life and remained engaged with her family and community until the very end despite many successful battles with a variety of ailments.

Born May 19, 1935 in Askov, Minnesota, she lived in: Greendale, Wisconsin; San Bernardino, California; Sandwich and Batavia, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; and traveled the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents Marie and Thorvald "Sandy" Sorensen.  Joan is survived by her loving sons John McInnes (Susan) and Jim McInnes (Tracy),  Sister Ruthy Fulwiler (Roy) and Brother Ruben Sorensen.  Joan’s life was enriched by her relationships with her 5 beloved grandchildren Jeff, Nina, Jack, Caroline, and Colin McInnes.  She is also survived by a niece Corrine Marks (Jamie) and two nephews David and Daniel Fulwiler who she cherished along with many close friends that she treasured.

Joan grew up in Greendale, Wisconsin and attended college at University of Wisconsin in Whitewater.  After College in 1957, Joan traveled with a friend across the country and lived in California for 7 years.  She returned to the Midwest where she was married and raised her two sons, John and Jim, in Sandwich, Illinois.  Joan was a dedicated mother who loved her children and shared her passion for learning and travel.

She visited over 50 countries pursuing both her love of travel and her drive to help other people.  Joan made 12 different trips with Global Volunteers, to developing countries, where she worked with many to make a difference.  She cherished these trips as her opportunity to sow some seeds that would one day bear fruit for those less fortunate.

Joan was a life-long learner earning her Master's Degree in Adult Education in 1991 at the age of 56.  As she learned she shared with others, teaching English as a second language for 10 years before retiring in 2001.  In retirement, Joan remained active in the lives of her grandchildren and redoubled her charitable work for Habitat for Humanity and numerous other organizations.

Joan was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church both in Geneva, Illinois and Denver, Colorado.   She cared deeply about her fellow Unitarians who accompanied her as she continued to stretch and learn, doubt and question, and grow in spirit.  At the UU Church, Joan found a like-minded community that shared her spiritual curiosity and her hope for social justice, equality, and a peaceful word.

A virtual memorial service has been prepared, hosted by the First Universalist Church of Denver.  The link and password are provided below.

https://vimeo.com/467128024

Password: RememberingJoan

In lieu of flowers Joan welcomes donations to any of the following:

First Universalist Church of Denver:

https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/firs4101114

Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva

http://www.uusg.org/donate

Habitat for Humanity.

https://www.habitat.org/donate/?keyword=header