1932-2025
It is with much sadness that we share that Joan passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on January 10th, 2025.
She was predeceased by her husband, Don, and is survived by her children Julie and David (Mary), her grandchildren Sara (Dave), Laura (Brent) and Will, and her great-grandchildren Theo, Penny, Rowan and Quinn. She is survived by her brother, David Peacock, and extended family.
Joan lived an active and full life for almost 93 years. Born in Toronto, Joan and Don married in 1953 and raised their two children there. Throughout most of the 1960s, Joan became very involved in fundraising for a new organization that was created to help children with disabilities.
In 1973, the family transferred to Barrie, where Don and Joan began designing and planning their future retirement home, which was close to their cottage on Oudaze Lake. Every weekend and every holiday for five years, Joan and Don worked together building their dream home, including throughout dreaded blackfly season. With Don’s precise engineering skills and Joan’s acquired carpentry skills and creative abilities, they were able to move into their beautiful home surrounded by quietness (except for the bullfrogs) and serene nature. There they enjoyed many years of golf, walks in the woods with Fielder, their dog, and social times with good friends. Having Joan’s parent’s cottage right next door, they were able to share many wonderful summers together.
After Don’s death from cancer in 1999, Joan moved to Huntsville. She devoted most of the next several decades to volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society. You would see Joan involved with parking lot garage sales, Christmas wrapping in the mall, and selling the symbolic daffodils every year. She was a team leader who was dedicated to helping others.
Throughout her beautiful life, Joan enjoyed working on projects, whether it be making lovely quilts and needlepoint pictures, knitting sweaters, or her famous multi-coloured socks. She had an eye for design and would wander through antique shops and find purpose for little treasures. Joan loved family history and often shared with her grandchildren photos and heirlooms with handwritten stories attached. She was a hard worker and had purpose in her life, but she always paused and made time to enjoy a good book. A trip to the library was a regular outing for Joan.
Joan spent many years living at Vernon View in Huntsville where a special community formed between many of the residents in this new development. While serving on the condo board, she met and became friends with many people. Out of those friendships grew a special group – the Golden Girls – who formed an incredible bond and became a lifeline for each other. Regular games of Wizard, the odd glass of wine, and discussions about anything and everything made each day meaningful and memorable. When the pandemic struck, it was the Golden Girls and many of the other residents at the condo who helped each other navigate that trying time. Joan was loved dearly for her quick wit and sassy sense of humour but particularly for her kindness and desire to make positive change.
Our sincere thank you to the staff at Muskoka Landing, who provided Joan with a warm and caring environment for the last year. We appreciated all the kindness shared amongst all the residents.
The comfort and care Joan received during her time at Hospice was exceptional. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers there.
As to Joan’s practical and no-fuss wishes, she has been cremated. There will be no formal service, but instead, a family gathering to celebrate her life in the Spring.
For those who know this incredible lady, may there be a time when a memory of Joan comes to mind, and a smile follows.
If you would like to honour Joan, please consider donating to one of her community charities: Hospice Huntsville, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, or the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Joan was a very special friend who would do anything for you. She was compassionate, caring, and loveable, above all else. Her one liners were memorable! I will miss her terribly, and there will always be an empty seat at our card table. Behave yourself up there Joan!! ❤️