Issue #96 - December 5, 2022

This edition of Sky Studio is dedicated to **Joanne Farkas**
who joined former colleagues in Sky Studio November 29, 2022

Joanne Farkas joined Sky Studio friends November 29, 2022 at age 80.

Her smile resonated through any room she was in and her brightness was always uplifting during her time with Algonquin Radio and TV on Queen Street and later at Huron Broadcasting on East Street, and always during her many involvements with and contributions to community events and causes.

“Generous, kind, left a large footprint, humour, humble,” are a few of the several kind descriptors left by many in their memory and condolences comments.

In the 1970s with CKCY AM and FM she was script writer and Traffic Manager. Colleague at that time, Russ Hilderley reflects that, “Sky Studio has a feisty entrant. She was an assertive, outspoken young woman in the sales department of CKCY's 1960 -70 era. Full of ideas and perhaps with so much energy, she had to try TV production. Joanne was her own supervisor and did it with gravitas.”

Helen Petrolo remembers moving into Joanne’s script writer role in 1971 and got the clunky Remington typewriter that came with the job. Helen recalls Joanne had not been able to get the station to acquire a new typewriter and so, ever always the one to get things done that needed doing, Joanne tossed the old one down the stairs. A new typewriter was quickly purchased.

During her time in television she was involved with television productions and commercial campaigns being part of a team that was awarded four national CanPro TV Awards for Excellence.

Colleague at that time, Wendy Hamilton recalls, "I never worked at the station with Joanne but I knew her work. Jo was a hero to me. A woman in broadcasting who was able to churn out quality tv scripts and keep up with the boys. She was a great writer. We became friends when she joined Cathy Shunock, Madge Sanderson and myself in the formation of the Oral History of Sault Ste. Marie back in 2011. Jo made a working lunch a whole lot of fun - I’m grateful for those times together."

Joanne also had great fun with long time friends Dianna Malysh, Shirley Real and Mari Eagle-Nichols who recalls Joanne would always say, “Let's do lunch! We did and sometimes even ate! Once at the then Holiday Inn here, we visited so much the staff told us lunch was over so, we continued on and did dinner!”

One always felt happier after an encounter with Joanne Farkas and that’s one memory all who knew her will share.

Special Announcements:

FARKAS, Joanne Margaret - Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie - Sault Ste. Marie News (sootoday.com)

Joanne Farkas Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie, ON (dignitymemorial.com)

1970s staff listing