Joan passed, as she lived, surrounded by love, in her 87th year on Friday, February 24, 2023.
Loving wife, constant companion and soul mate of 57 years to Russell Johnson, and treasured mother to Ken (Wendy), Martin (Kerri) and Michelle (Oliver).
Joan was the daughter of Linton Laird and Iris Bartlett and stepdaughter of Arthur Lewis. Born Nov. 23, 1936 in Rodney, ON, she moved to Brant County as a child, which remained her home for the next 80 years.
Joan came from a large family as is predeceased by her siblings Don (Margaret d.), Elsie Tolhurst (Don d.), Jack (Edith d.), Ruth Bucholtz (Bill d.), Ken (Ruta), Clare (Marg), Mary Balzer (Glenn d.) Barbara Dunn (Len), and Gwen Laird. Also predeceased by her daughter in law, Beverly, grandson Jeff and brothers in law Angus (Leila d.), Andy (Verna d.) and sister in law Barb Copeland (Bob d.).
She is survived by her sister Lynn Feick (Earl d.), and her brother in law and sister in law Don and Judy Johnson.
Joan was Grandma to 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
Joan had many beloved nieces and nephews. She was known in Paris as “Auntie Joan” to the scores of children she nurtured in her home daycare.
She was the recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for Volunteerism. Joan was involved in everything from Girl Guides, to volunteering with the Stedman Hospice and the Laubach Literacy organization. An avid lover of music, her beautiful contralto voice could be heard harmonizing in various church choirs, the Brant Belle-A- Dears, and was known to instigate impromptu sing songs at Telfer Place. She also sang a lovely rendition of “I Love You, A Bushel and a Peck” to countless tiny ears.
Joan had a huge capacity for love. Until the end, she could be found listening to people’s troubles and giving them wise advice and warm hugs. She was a woman of great faith and therefore optimism. This sustained her and brought her comfort until the end.
Special friends Ruth Anne Stortz, Dorothy Neufeld (d), Helen Doctor, Glenna Huff and Brooke Parsons enriched the many chapters of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Smokey Hollow Estates clubhouse on March 5, 2023 at 1 pm.
Special Thank you to the staff at Telfer Place who cared for Joan the last 18 months of her life.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Huntington Society of Canada.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com. Please visit Joan's obituary notice on Facebook.
Loving wife, constant companion and soul mate of 57 years to Russell Johnson, and treasured mother to Ken (Wendy), Martin (Kerri) and Michelle (Oliver).
Joan was the daughter of Linton Laird and Iris Bartlett and stepdaughter of Arthur Lewis. Born Nov. 23, 1936 in Rodney, ON, she moved to Brant County as a child, which remained her home for the next 80 years.
Joan came from a large family as is predeceased by her siblings Don (Margaret d.), Elsie Tolhurst (Don d.), Jack (Edith d.), Ruth Bucholtz (Bill d.), Ken (Ruta), Clare (Marg), Mary Balzer (Glenn d.) Barbara Dunn (Len), and Gwen Laird. Also predeceased by her daughter in law, Beverly, grandson Jeff and brothers in law Angus (Leila d.), Andy (Verna d.) and sister in law Barb Copeland (Bob d.).
She is survived by her sister Lynn Feick (Earl d.), and her brother in law and sister in law Don and Judy Johnson.
Joan was Grandma to 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
Joan had many beloved nieces and nephews. She was known in Paris as “Auntie Joan” to the scores of children she nurtured in her home daycare.
She was the recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for Volunteerism. Joan was involved in everything from Girl Guides, to volunteering with the Stedman Hospice and the Laubach Literacy organization. An avid lover of music, her beautiful contralto voice could be heard harmonizing in various church choirs, the Brant Belle-A- Dears, and was known to instigate impromptu sing songs at Telfer Place. She also sang a lovely rendition of “I Love You, A Bushel and a Peck” to countless tiny ears.
Joan had a huge capacity for love. Until the end, she could be found listening to people’s troubles and giving them wise advice and warm hugs. She was a woman of great faith and therefore optimism. This sustained her and brought her comfort until the end.
Special friends Ruth Anne Stortz, Dorothy Neufeld (d), Helen Doctor, Glenna Huff and Brooke Parsons enriched the many chapters of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Smokey Hollow Estates clubhouse on March 5, 2023 at 1 pm.
Special Thank you to the staff at Telfer Place who cared for Joan the last 18 months of her life.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Huntington Society of Canada.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com. Please visit Joan's obituary notice on Facebook.
