Joan (Brockman) Taylor

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else, it would have to be Joan (Brockman) Taylor. She was a warm-hearted, generous, considerate and well liked individual, sociable, amiable and one who was always making certain that those around her were comfortable and had whatever they needed. Joan’s smile, laughter and sense of fun endeared her to many.

Joan was born on November 30, 1926 at Oshawa General Hospital in Oshawa, Ontario. She was the daughter of Mary Alice "Minnie" Quigley (Brockman) and Christopher "Ezra" Brockman. Both Minnie and Ezra were born in Oshawa as were some of Joan’s grandparents! During her childhood she learned to be responsible and respectful. Joan was an obedient child who wanted to please others. It was natural for her to show empathy and to perform acts of kindness for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Joan's personality through-out her life.

Though Joan was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family, she was also quite often the family member who took on the role of peacemaker. She was able to keep things in perspective and had a very close, respectful bond with her beloved father Ezra. Joan was raised with one older brother, Charles “Raymond” who worked in Duplate for many years. Joan and her sibling cared deeply for one another despite their 10 year age difference. After Ezra’s death in 1953, Joan, her husband Abe and two toddlers began 12 years of caregiving for her mother “Minnie” on Arlington Avenue.

As someone who loved life, Joan was always enthusiastic about new adventures. She was remembered for her energy and “ready and raring to go” spirit. As a young girl, Joan had a number of interests and was an active child. Joan took part in tennis, cycling, roller skating, ice skating and horseback riding. In her spare time she liked reading, embroidery, music, dancing, outdoor play at the park, spent time with her friends and went tobogganing at Hills and Dales. She was keen to take on babysitting jobs in the neighbourhood as a teenager. She worked at Kresge’s Department Store after leaving Oshawa Collegiate.

For Joan, the school routines were never a problem although she generally preferred variety to structure. She seemed to be able to start a project and work right through to its completion. She was able to do it quickly and efficiently ensuring accuracy and paying attention to detail. Joan was very observant and was generally a quick learner. She attended Oshawa Collegiate, later called O'Neill CVI, and completed grade 10 in 1941. Her favourite classes in high school were mathematics and English.

There was one thing that all of Joan's friends knew …. she was outgoing and friendly. She could pretty much talk to anyone about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Joan was such a popular person throughout her life. Joan was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy, the kind of person who simply radiated goodwill. If you were Joan’s friend, you became a friend for life. Growing up in Oshawa, some of her best friends were Agnes Brick (Duffy), Jean McGrath (Neal), Marion Lee (Brown) and Audrey Burns (Moring). Later in life as friends married, she and Abe became friends with Violet and Alex Mitchell, Mary and Norm Michael, Jean and Jim Neal, Isabelle and Joe Kovacs and Grace and Gord Murphy. These were true and lasting friendships.

Joan was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated warmth and welcome to those around her. On May 26, 1950 Joan married Albert Victor Taylor at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Oshawa, Ontario with Father Smythe officiating at the rectory. Joe Kovacs and Jean McGrath were their witnesses/attendants. Compassionate and devoted, Joan worked hard to make her new life a happy one as a wife, mother and homemaker. Jean and husband Jim would be chosen as Joanie’s Godparents and Joe became Alan’s Godfather with wife Isabelle as his Godmother the following year.

Harmony was important to Joan and she made every effort to maintain it within her family. Joan was blessed with two children, son, Alan Christopher and daughter, Mary Joan aka Joanie. She was also blessed with one grandson, Keith Christopher (1984) and a great granddaughter, Darcy Olwin (2013). Joan was always aware of the feelings of others. She was reasonable and understanding. Joan would listen before she would act. Her smile would pave the way to empathy and understanding. In her later years, Joan’s negotiation skills, courage and determination were second to none.

Taking her work seriously came naturally to Joan, and she expected the same from those around her. Joan was a good team player, someone who was born to co-operate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Joan was a calm, steady worker, one who was realistic about what she could do in a day re customer orders, deadlines, accuracy with accounts and payroll. Her primary occupation was in business/finance as a bookkeeper/accountant/payroll clerk. Prior to her marriage, Joan was employed for approximately five years at Shepherd's Butcher Shop on Simcoe St. N. where she was given a lot of responsibility at a young age. She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues and their valued customers. One regular customer fondly referred to her as “the Butcher Girl”.

A devoted homemaker, Joan enjoyed spending time working on her various hobbies. Her favourite pursuits were taking pride in her home on Glenforest Street, shopping, bargain hunting, entering contests, scrapbooking the Oshawa labour scene focusing on Local 222 UAW during Abe’s 15 years as President, clipping coupons & recipes, experimenting with new recipes, dining out, gardening, pickling & preserving, planting vegetables in garden plots rented throughout the City of Oshawa, cooking, reading, playing board games, euchre and seeking out cheap slot machines at casinos. From Ajax to Port Perry to Vegas, Joan was keen to try her luck! In her 90’s her luck shone with various wins on “scratch cards”!

After 15 years of working on the line in General Motors, Abe started moving up the union ladder in the plant e.g. attended conventions, served as Committeeman, etc. and had a keen interest in workers’ rights and social justice. With his developing leadership skills, Abe took his vision to the electorate of Local 222. He was elected president of one of the largest labour unions in Canada from 1963 to 1978. His victory at the age of 36 was considered an upset. It was time for a change! Joan became the “home secretary” during this time making sure meals were on time so Abe could be where he was needed, handled media queries, workers’ messages, etc. that came to the house. She learned to how prepare stencils to be used for duplication purposes on our basement Gestetner during union elections for members seeking office in the plant or on the Executive of Local 222 UAW. It was never dull. Over the years thousands of pages of candidates’ platforms were readied by Team Taylor to distribute to various factories in Local 222. Joan kept her cool despite many “last minute” requests and midnight pickups. All this had to be coordinated with the in-house typist Joanie between her teaching responsibilities at St. Gertrude’s School. This became the “new normal” as the membership elected and re-elected Abe until his retirement in 1978.

In life, Joan was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth her best effort. She was always enthusiastic and a great team player. Recreational activities included bowling, walking and dancing. Joan also enjoyed watching live sports and enjoyed following her favourite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were baseball, tennis, hockey and horse events (equestrian on TV). As a young mother she was both a baseball and hockey mom. The Taylors went to every baseball and hockey game Alan played as pitcher in the summer and defenseman in the winter. He played in the CYO league as well as Legion baseball. Games sometimes involved travel which everyone enjoyed. For years Alan played baseball in Valleyview Park which became in recent years the Kinsman Valleyview Garden on Adelaide St. W. A bench is dedicated to Abe and Joan in the area where bleachers once stood and Taylors once sat in line with the pitcher’s mound!

Joan’s keen interest in things that affected the lives of other people led her to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because she was outgoing and worked well with others, Joan did her fair share of volunteer work especially through the Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. Throughout her later years, Joan was an active member of the Ladies’ Bowling League, the UAW Ladies’ Auxiliary #27, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a Volunteer at Hillsdale Manor’s Tuck Shop.

Joan was the kind of person who willingly stepped up to help others. She was dependable, appreciated, respected and valued by those she assisted in her community. For decades, Joan was actively involved in the election process especially on Election Day - at municipal, provincial and federal levels. Politically, Joan was a supporter of the New Democratic Party.

Her high moral standards and traditional values served Joan well. Religion and faith were important to her. She was a member of St. Gregory’s in Oshawa for over 90 years. During that time, she was a member of the Catholic Women's League where she was often asked to make and donate sandwiches or desserts for receptions after funerals.

Joan enjoyed travelling and willingly shared driving duties on longer road trips. Unfortunately she was not the best navigator (despite her best efforts) but was always amusing! Favourite vacations included cross Canada road trips - Ontario to British Columbia, a summer trip to Quebec City and the Charlevoix Region, an adventure to New England that introduced her to “outlet malls”, their 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to England & Scotland in 1975, and 1967 two weeks in Rome, Italy… a trip Joan won in one of her contests! She enjoyed California, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, Jamaica and Nassau with Abe; Las Vegas with Joanie & Donna and several trips to Kamloops to visit Alan, Betty and Keith.

Joan loved the opportunity to see professional musicals and stage shows in Toronto. She was always an avid supporter of local high school productions and Durham Shoestring Performers and OLT shows over the years in town.

In 2000 Joan sought the help of Toronto specialists when her back pain became too much to bear. She was told she’d be confined to a wheelchair by 2005 but they were wrong. Surgery was going to be too risky, be fatal or leave her paralyzed. Bravely Joan chose to try to manage her pain without surgical intervention. She drove a van until 2014 and didn’t require a wheelchair until 2017 when she was a resident at Hillsdale Terraces, Oshawa. Her strong will and love for life, her family and friends kept her going. Her membership in the Family Auxiliary #27 also gave her support and purpose.

As if this wasn’t enough, in 2001 and again in 2002 and 2005 Abe required hip surgeries and extensive rehab in hospital, at home and at clinics. PSWs provided 5 hours of help a week which made it difficult for Joan to manage meeting both her health needs and Abe’s. Despite her own pain, she showed her inner strength, love and dedication to Abe. In 2002 Joanie retired from teaching to rejoin the Team to support both Joan and Abe. In 2007 Parkinson’s disease struck and Abe was admitted to the Wynfield Longterm Care Home where Joan and Joanie visited him daily until his death in February 2008. Through all Abe’s hospitalizations, his Joans were there for him.

Being able to have “her wheels” gave Joan great freedom over the years. She drove cars, trucks and a Pontiac Montana van and kept her license active until she was 88! She renewed her license every two years after age 80 and studying a manual was certainly a challenge for her after being out of school since she was a teenager! She was always well prepared and drove accident free for over 60 years! Having bigger vehicles made it easier for Abe to access them for his rehab sessions and appointments in his 70’s. When walkers and wheelchairs became the norm, the van was perfect. Zak loved nothing better than to go along in the trucks to the barber shop with Abe or on many enjoyable rides to Lake Ontario for summer fun and doggy baths.

Joan loved animals, nature and family pets through the years. Zak the big retriever was a favourite who came from B.C. with Keith, Betty and Alan and stayed in Oshawa for the rest of her days. Zak was loved by all and well known in “The Glens”. Over the years cats and budgies came and went. Both Abe and Joan were experienced budgie sitters and enjoyed visits from Joanie’s birds Quigley, Corki and Blarney who were all entertaining.

It was always easy for Joan to meet, get to know and make friends with new people, even in her golden years. She loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days in Oshawa. Joan stayed in touch with her forever friends through cards, letters and phone calls over the years.

Joan passed away suddenly on November 4, 2020 at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, Ontario. She bravely endured pain and orthopedic setbacks for decades and faced Alzheimer's disease at the end of her life.

She was a resident of Hillsdale Terraces in March 2020 when COVID struck. Joan was miraculously spared when others were not so fortunate. She was blessed.

Joan is survived by her children Joan Jr. of Oshawa and Alan, daughter-in-law Betty, grandson Keith, partner Chrystal and great granddaughter Darcy all of Sherwood Park, Alberta. A prayer service was held at the Oshawa Funeral Home with Father Keith Callaghan of Holy Cross Church presiding. Cremation followed and in the spring of 2021, Joan will be laid to rest beside Abe at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Whitby, Ontario.

Joan will be remembered for many things by many who were privileged to know her. She was an honorary “mom” to many. She meant what she said and was such a positive influence on others. Joan was down to earth, sincere, outgoing and fun-loving. She experienced life in all its challenges and blessings firsthand. She was cautious, practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember the most is her smile, friendly greetings and her capacity to be so loving, generous, thoughtful, understanding and kind. Joan was too well loved to ever be forgotten. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Joan (Brockman) Taylor.

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TAYLOR SR., Joan

(1926 – 2020)

Lifelong Oshawa Resident and Member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, 55 year Volunteer Member of UAW / Unifor Family Auxiliary #27, Volunteer Driver for Meals on Wheels, Hillsdale Manor Tuck Shop.

Joan passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 en route to Lakeridge Health Oshawa. She was in her 94th year. Sincere thanks to our First Responders who accompanied Joan on her final journey. Born in Oshawa General Hospital November 30th, 1926 to Mary Alice Quigley and Christopher Ezra Brockman, she was the dearly loved sister of the late C. Raymond Brockman. Beloved wife of the late Albert V. “Abe” Taylor for 57 years and cherished by her daughter Joan Jr. of Oshawa, and son Alan C. (Betty), grandson Keith C. Taylor (Chrystal) and her great granddaughter Darcy all of Sherwood Park, Alberta. Joan is fondly remembered by her sisters-in-law Barbara Smith (Ted) and Joyce Wilde (Don) both of Oshawa. She was Godmother to Gary Neal, Oshawa and Kayne Homer of Nova Scotia, and a special Aunt Joan to nieces Lillian and Donna of Oshawa and Betty of London. She was “Mom” Taylor to many, and memories of Joan’s love, laughter and sense of fun, kindness, selflessness and loyalty to friends and family will be treasured. Her smile lit up a room. Special thanks to Dr. Donna Birbrager and Dr. James Cha for their years of dedicated care for Joan, her many support workers especially Willie Nicholls and the staff of Hillsdale Terraces for their support these past 3.5 years as Joan battled Alzheimer’s disease. The spiritual support given by Father Keith Callaghan to the residents at Hillsdale Terraces was appreciated by the Taylor family. Visitation will be held at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Wednesday, November 11th from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. followed by a private service in the chapel. Cremation to follow and interment with Abe at Resurrection Cemetery, Whitby. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region or the Building fund of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Oshawa if you wish.

“Too well loved to ever be forgotten.” As Joan often said, “Every day’s a bonus. I’ve been blessed.”