Joan Elizabeth MacLeod

Predeceased by her husband, John William MacLeod (2001), to whom she was married for 49 years, she is survived by her two sons, J. William (Bill) MacLeod, (Mary Fedorchuk) and Donald A. MacLeod (Mary Alice Ryan); three grandchildren Meredith MacLeod, Alexander MacLeod, Elizabeth MacLeod and one great-grandson, Theodore MacLeod.

Joan was a graduate of New Glasgow High School, Acadia University, (Secretarial Science Diploma) and St. Mary’s University where she received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English. Upon graduation from Acadia University, she was employed with the Employment Insurance Commission in New Glasgow for seven years prior to her marriage in 1952 to John W. MacLeod. They then lived in Montreal for two years following which they returned to Nova Scotia. The family home was at 45 Anderson Street, Dartmouth. In 1967 she returned to the workforce and served as the school secretary at Ellenville Junior High School from the day it opened until 1991 when she retired. As a member of the Woodlawn United Church, she was actively engaged for many years in the weekly Bible study group and as a volunteer. A former executive member of the UCW as program convenor, she was also a Member of the Ministry and Personnel Committee and the Pastoral Care Committee. A former member of the Junior League of Halifax, the University Women’s Club (Dartmouth) she participated in the fine arts group under John Cook and became a proficient oil painter. She volunteered with the Heart and Stroke Association and served as a Board Member of the Tenancy Board of the Province of Nova Scotia for many years. Actively engaged and interested in politics, she was a long serving member on the Executive of the Dartmouth East Progressive Conservative Association.

Joan MacLeod was a lady of great dignity and lived by the creed as expressed by Alistair MacLeod in the last line of his novel No Great Mischief – “All of us are better when we’re loved.”

A memorial service will be held at Woodlawn United Church on March 25th, 2022 at 2:00 pm.

Donations in memory may be made to the Heart and Stoke Foundation, Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.