It is with grace that I am informed on the passing of the longest-serving music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO).  I remember Mr. Bramwell Tovey very well.  I attended a series of events at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra during an era when I was singing in the Orff group in elementary school.  Now, I am spending time thinking about people I had the high honour to meet because of my involvement in the community.

My prayers are with the mutual acquaintances, contributors, members, countless admirers of the prestigious composer, and last but not least his friends in common, during this phase of transition.  May we all be greeted with the sound of music when the whole world passes away!

Unfortunately I could not attend to personally offer my condolences to you Joanne and all the family, but I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you during this very sad and difficult time of loss.I have enjoyed looking through the photos you posted of your mom and dad and all the family...thank you for sharing them with us...cherish the memories...

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Tovey family.  It was a prvilege to know Mrs. Tovey when I was young boy growing up and being friends with Jim as he and I attended school together at Malton Public School.  I remember Mrs. Tovey as always had a smile on her face and always welcoming you to her home.  May you rest in peace.

You were an amazing Grandmother, mother, and greatgrandmother. When i think of you i remember your smile and hear your laugh. You were always happy and smiling. An influence and great role model that i will truly miss more than words can express. You raised six great children because of your strength, love and personality . I thank you for being such a big part in my life and i feel blessed to be your grandson. Love you and miss you forever rest peacefully.
   With love,

              Your grandson Nigel Cooper

I remember Joan from the time she first arrived in Canada. Over the years we shared many cups of tea and had delightful chats. Joan was a very gracious, kind and warm lady and she will be missed.

A Special verse for all of Mrs. Tovey's Loving Family & Friends:

Hold fast to your memories, to all of the cherished moments of the past, to the blessings and the laughter, the joys and the celebrations, the sorrow and the tears.
They all add up to a treasure of fond yesterdays that you shared and spent together, and they keep the one you loved close to you in spirit and in thought.
The special moments and memories in your life will never change.  They will always be in your heart today and forevermore.
God be with you all today & always.
Love:  The Geiger Family xoxo

Vic, Jeannette & boys,
Our thoughts & prayers go out to you during your family's loss. I'm sure your mom/mom-in-law/grandma will be greatly missed. May she be at rest in a better place.
God bless,
Alex, Brock, Evan & Trent

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of grief.

Jeanette,

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Shando

dear Joanne,to you and all your family our deepest condolances  Love  Adriana Follo and family

To all the Tovey Family: Barbara & I would like to express our deepest sympathies in this time of your loss.  Unfortunately it's been too many years since I had seen Mrs T. (her 80th birthday party)I'll always remember her kindness, smiling face,& how she had your coffee cup washed & put away before you had the last sip out of the bottom.She will be missed.

We feel blessed to have been apart of your life, we will miss you dearly Mrs T
God Bless 
Rory, Debbie, Nichole,Rory Jr.

My condolences to Joan's family. May she rest in peace

Jeanette, 

I wish your family peace at this difficult time and would like you to know my thoughts are with you. 

Veronica Mohan

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tovey family today and always.  Mrs Tovey was a lovely woman and will be sadly missed by us, among many.
A prayer for the family:
God looked around his garden And He found an empty place. 
And then He looked down upon the earth, 
And saw your tired face. 
He put His arms around you, 
And lifted you to rest. 
God's garden must be beautiful, 
He always takes the best. 
He knew that you were suffering, 
He knew you were in pain, 
He knew that you would never 
Get well on earth again. 
He saw the road was getting rough, 
And the hills were hard to climb, 
So He closed your weary eyelids, 
And whispered "Peace be thine." 
It broke our hearts to lose you, 
But you didn't go alone, 
For part of us went with you, 
The day God called you home.
May you rest in peace Mrs. Tovey, xo

Dear Mrs Tovey, It has been a very long time since I last saw you, but I do have the many memories of our day's in Malton. I will always remember how kind you were to all of us kids growing up. To Joanne and the rest of the family my thoughts and prayers are with you and my you lean on the love and support of your family and friends to help you through this time. Mary Frisina-Braet

I have fond memories of both Aunt Joan and Uncle John at family reunions at our house.  I love the photo gallery,  She looks stunning as a young women.  No wonder she was a dashing war bride.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  Love, Susan, Chris, Hannah and Carol

Dear Johnny and the entire Tovey Clan:  This lovely lady with the great sense of humour was always "Auntie Joan" to me.  My very earliest memories are of the Tovey's, our backyard neighbours ... our Mom's chatting about "kid stuff" and our Dad's (the two Johns) having a laugh over a beer!  Wonderful childhood memories I will always treasure - how blessed we were to be kids in those times ... forts down by the creek, planes flying low overhead and a neighbourhood that was more like a family - good times.  Remembering Auntie Joan today brings back warm, happy memories.  You will miss her terribly but she leaves a legacy of love for each of you.  Keeping you all close in prayer ...

So many happy memories of the good times Johnny and I spent with Joan and John as we began our new families back in the late 40's in Malton .... two young warbrides with our handsome young soldiers.   We weren't just neighbours but good friends sharing glad times and sad times.  Those were wonderful days, we were the best of friends and those fond memories have stayed with me throughout the years.  My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. What a wonderful lady.

Jeanette and family,
My thoughts are with you during this time of loss.  
Giulia Ahmadi.

Although we were so far apart Auntie Joan, you were always in our thoughts.
Our love goes to all the family and we are thinking of you all at this sad time, 
Valerie, Dave, Jackie, Nicola, Daniel, Katie.( Buckingham, England)

With DEEPEST SYMPATHY of your loved one.
Thinking of you & your families at this sad time of loss...Wishing you all Peace and Tranquility in your time of sorrow.
GOD BLESS...Love: The Grech Family

My sincerest condolences to Joan's family.  May she rest in peace.

Amir Tamari
Manulife

When I think of Aunt Joan, one of my favourite images of her is :  she and Mom sitting on the deck at the cottage, drinking their one drink per day - a caesar with a giant piece of celery hanging out of it & the 2 of them sharing a laugh. 
Cathy Tovey

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dear Mrs. Tovey, you lived such a long and wonderful life with Joanne and the rest of your beautiful children, and your very special grandchildren.  You nurtured them, encouraged them with strength and loved them all so that they would grow into adults with the most important things in life.  We will miss you so very much and will all come and visit you again some day. I myself will never forget the kindness and love you gave to Joanne's to me as Joanne's friend. You are a very special mother to us all!  My love and prayers to you and all of your family, Norine Smith-McEachern

I feel honored to be your daughter.   I am so grateful that my children had the opportunity to spend time with you, and have so many cherrished memories of their Nana.  You were the best role model a young woman could have.  Determined, independant, strong-willed, responsible, devoted, supportive, loving, kind and proud of her heritage, country, city, family and friends.  You lived a full and wonderful life and you worked hard for it.  As you deserve, you may now rest peacefully in God's grace.  Thank you Mom for everything you have done for me in my life.  I will love you and miss you the rest of my days.  Joanne xoxoxoxo

OBITUARY

Joan Tovey

15 March, 1924 – 2 November, 2010

Andrews Community Funeral Centre - Bramalea Chapel

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