Sonnenburg, Joan Joan Sonnenburg (August) passed away peacefully, on November 30, 2017 at Perth Community Care Centre. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 51 years, Earl, her son Howard, daughter Lisa, daughter-in-law DeeDee, her grandchildren Arianna, Xander and Reese, and her cats Kassius and Kelly. She will also be missed by the many she worked with as a director, actor and producer for Perth Studio Theatre, Smiths Falls Community Theatre, and Theatre Night in Merrickville. She was predeceased by her father, William Howard August, her mother Phyllis August (Rogers) and her brother William Roger August. Joan was born September 7, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and kept a love of the prairies her whole life. In 1953, she moved to Ottawa where she attended Glebe Collegiate. She discovered a love for theatre while attending Carleton University. There she was President of the Sock and Buskin Club and directed Rich Little (who apparently could never remember his lines). Joan completed her Bachelor of Arts from Carleton in 1959, and worked for the National Archives before becoming a teacher. In 1965, she started teaching at Arnprior District Highschool, where she met fellow teacher and theatre lover, Earl Sonnenburg. They were married in 1966. In 1975, Joan realized her dream of a country home, raising horses, and feeding birds when she, Earl and their two children moved just outside of Merrickville, where they lived for almost 35 years. During this time, Joan was involved as an actor and director with Theatre Night in Merrickville. She was known for her ability to convince people to be involved in plays without them actually remembering if they said yes. Sunday dinners were a Sonnenburg family tradition, where guests learned quickly never to say, 'Okey Dokey' or "A Handbag". After retirement, Joan and Earl moved to Perth, and became involved with both Studio Theatre Perth and the Smiths Falls Community Theatre, winning a number of awards for their work. Joan also realized her dream of becoming a professional writer. Her column in the Recorder and Times, as well as her writing for the Country Senior gave many in the Ottawa Valley great pleasure. Her columns were semi-autobiographical, and while she took some creative license, her writing was very much of a reflection of who she was-funny, stubborn, no-nonsense, with a love for her family and her animals. Friends may pay their respects at the Blair and Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St., West, Perth on Thursday, December 7th, 2017 from 2:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Church, Perth. Interment St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joan to the Lanark Animal Welfare Society or your local community theatre would be appreciated. The Family would like to thank Dr. Peter Cunniffe and the staff at The Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital and The Perth Community Care Center for their assistance and care.