The Story of Colin and JoAnn Thatcher
A New Way of Life
The year 1964 proved eventful for the Thatcher family. That April, the ardent liberal Ross Thatcher ended a campaign against the socialistic party by winning the popular vote and being elected as premier of
That same year, JoAnn became pregnant with their first child. Ross and Peggy moved to
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Nevertheless, Colin was eager to win his father’s approval, which likely facilitated his interest in pursuing a political career for himself while simultaneously managing the family ranch. In order to advance his position as a community leader, Colin became more socially active. Between the early 1960s and 1970s, he became the national director of the Canada Hereford Association, a member of the Kinsmen’s Club, director of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club, chairman of the Moose Jaw Civic Centre Board, participated in Caron Rural Municipality meetings and eventually he ran and lost an election for a seat on the Board of Education.
JoAnn dutifully supported her husband’s interests and actively participated in a majority of the related social functions that contributed to the advancement of Colin’s popularity. Yet, Colin’s own ambitions always took a back seat to his father’s. Ross consistently sidestepped Colin’s political interests, frequently stating that having one Thatcher involved in politics was more than enough. Although Ross dominated the political limelight, his son refused to let it deter him and instead he utilized the family name to his own benefit.
While Colin was attempting to advance himself in the community, he was also in the process of extending his family. In February 1969 the couple proudly announced the birth of their second son, Regan Colin Thatcher. The birth followed two unsuccessful pregnancies that resulted in miscarriages. Ross was especially pleased with the new grandson. It seemed as if the old man’s hopes for the family rested on Greg and Regan, possibly making up for what he believed to be his own son’s failings. Unfortunately, he would never live to see his son or grandson’s future achievements.
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JoAnn and Colin were shocked by the news of the unexpected tragedy. JoAnn shared a very close relationship with Ross and experienced considerable emotional pain following his death. However, Colin’s reaction was more ambiguous. There is no doubt that the love/hate relationship between the two led to many unresolved and confused feelings prior to Ross’s death. According to Wilson and Wilson, a friend of the family further supported this view stating that following Ross’s death, Colin was unsure of whether to “laugh or cry at his father’s funeral.” Regardless, the loss of his father allowed Colin to unabashedly pursue his interests in politics and in the family ranching business.
Upon his death, Ross bequeathed money and property to JoAnn and Colin worth approximately $250,000 in total value. The inheritance included more than five thousand acres of land complete with equipment and populated with cattle. JoAnn and Colin were for the first time financially stable, although most of their wealth was tied up in property. However, Ross’s death in many ways marked a new beginning for the couple.
Hope seemed to spring eternal for the Thatchers, especially with the birth of their third child in January 1974. The family once again happily welcomed the new addition, this time a girl who they named Stephanie Ann. She would be the couple’s last child. It appeared to those who knew the family that the Thatchers had luck on their side. They seemed to be a well-adjusted, well-educated and wealthy family with a bright future. However, in the Thatcher’s case, looks would later prove to be deceiving.
