Joan Elizabeth Carlson (Mason)

Born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Joan was the only daughter of the late Jean (Smith) and Clarence (CJ) Morrow. She was raised in Lunenburg and educated at Lunenburg Academy, Edgehill School for Girls, and Sargent College, where she earned a Bachelor of Physical Therapy.

A beautiful woman inside and out, Joan lived her life with energy, tenacity, and joy. A natural athlete, she had a lifelong passion for sport and competition. She became a Nova Scotia provincial senior golf champion and proudly represented the province at the national senior’s tournaments. She was a Charter/Honorary member of the Atlantic Senior Women’s Golf Association, belonged to the Lunenburg, Ashburn, and Osprey Ridge golf clubs, as well as The Meadows in Sarasota, Florida. Joan was a founding member of Osprey Ridge Golf Course, where she played her last round at age 92. As a member of the Halifax Curling Club, she was also accomplished on the ice, winning 2 Nova Scotia Senior Women’s Championships and the Canadian Senior Women’s title in 1987.

Joan was an amazing mother who passed down her athleticism and competitive spirit to Jim, Bob, Jean and Susan. She was their biggest cheerleader whose love and support were unconditional. She also took great pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to be kept up to date on their endeavours.

Service to others was central to Joan’s life. She volunteered her time at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, of which she was a faithful member for many years, the Halifax Trojans Swim Club, and numerous community organizations. Her generosity, reliability, and warm presence touched countless lives.

Growing up in Lunenburg, sailing also played an important role in Joan’s life. A long-time member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron (RNSYS) and Lunenburg Yacht Club (LYC), she spent many happy times on the waters of Mahone Bay and Halifax, especially aboard the Marita IV and on Gersemi with George and family.

After Joan remarried, she and Charles enjoyed spending their winters in Sarasota, Florida at their home in the Meadows, where they led a very active golf and social life, only stopping that ritual when Covid struck.

Joan enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, games on her iPad, watching sports on TV, and all things chocolate! She will be remembered for her warm smile, infectious giggle, kindness, optimism, and deep love of family.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her husband, Charles Carlson; her son Jim (Jill) Mason; her daughters Jean Mason-Gillespie and Susan (Don) MacLeod. Her grandchildren Christie Mason, Rob (Amber) Mason, Heather MacLeod, Janet (Matt) MacDonald, Megan MacLeod, and Julie Gillespie and six great grandchildren. Also, her stepdaughters Leslie (Neil) Henry, Kari (Rich) Landers, and her stepson Bill (Kristen) Carlson. Her step-grandchildren Bill (Erin) Henry, Ted (Maureen) Henry, Alex (Maximilian) Traut, Michael (Esther) Landers, Jillian (Tim) Cullen, Tommy (Dana) Landers, Brett (Allison) Carlson, and Ryan Carlson and 15 step-great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her first husband, George Mason; their son, Bob; and her brothers, Jim and Billy Morrow.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 19, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 20, at 3:00pm at St. James Anglican Church, 2688 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax, with the Reverend Katie Taylor-Flynn officiating. Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Lunenburg will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada (WMFC) or to the charity of your choice.