Joan Russell

Joan was born in Toronto on October 7, 1925, youngest child of Frederick Henry Aikman and Pearl Adelaide Ward. She was predeceased by her sister Lynette Margesson and brother Alan Aikman. Joan grew up in North Toronto, attended St. Clements School and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Clements Church.

After graduating from St. Clements, Joan studied Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. One summer during WWII, while working as a Farmerette in Grimsby, she met her future husband, Bob Russell.

Joan and Bob married in 1951 and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Bob died in 2011. They have five children: Peter (Joan, deceased), Tom (Alma), Kevin (Jane), Sheila and Catherine. Grandchildren: Catherine Russell, Melissa Russell and Christopher Russell. Great grandchildren: Madeleine Bell, Phoebe Bell and Madelyn Covello.

Joan led an active and very engaged life. She gave her time generously to the I.O.D.E., the Association of Women Electors, the alumni of St. Clements School, the St. Anne’s Group at St. Clements Church, Meals on Wheels and worked for many forward-thinking politicians in their bids to get elected. Joan was an ardent feminist embracing the movement and championing women’s rights throughout her life.

Joan was in many ways, a pioneer. In 1950, from June through October, Joan and her three adventurous friends, Barbara Beatty, June Pemberton and Jean Stevenson bicycled through Europe. This adventure was unusual for its time and was one of her fondest memories.

Returning to university in her 40s, she graduated in 1983. While walking in the woods during summers at the cottage, Joan became enamoured of the many species of wild mushrooms growing seemingly everywhere and took it upon herself to research and study which ones were edible. Our family enjoyed many years of exotic mushrooms at memorable family meals.

Joan had an exceptional eye for beauty. In the 1960’s, she spotted an abandoned Minnette launch disintegrating in a field and inspired Bob with visions of it motoring once again on the lake. They bought it and had it restored to its original condition.

Bob and Joan loved art and antiques. Joan was happiest poking through antique stores, the more off-the-beaten-track the better. Their long-suffering children were not equally fascinated and became quite vocal when they’d had enough!

Mother has reluctantly orphaned us. We will miss her wit, wisdom and sense of humour. Worry not, “It is always darkest before the dawn.”

Our family thanks Belmont House and their compassionate staff for taking great care of our Mother over the last fifteen years.

A celebration of life will take place on Thursday May 29th, 2025, at St. Clements Anglican Church, 70 St. Clements Avenue, Toronto, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your donating to a charity of your choice in Joan’s memory.