After a long and courageous battle with lupus, Joan passed away on February 3rd at Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital surrounded by her family. She is remembered and loved by her beloved son Jacob and his father Glen of Toronto; her parents Dr. Ralph and Marg Schneider of Saskatoon; her brother Michael and his wife Nathalie of Hoboken, New Jersey; as well as a larger circle of other family and friends
Growing up in Saskatoon, Joan had many enthusiasms. She was an avid tennis player, a voracious reader, and a lover of the outdoors. Banff was one of her favorite places and she learned to ski there during family ski trips. A music enthusiast, Joan played the piano and delighted in car karaoke. Always keen to try something new, she was a race walker, a lawn bowler and even tried her hand at ice hockey.
After graduating from Evan Hardy Collegiate in 1985, she moved to Toronto where she completed a B Admin Degree at Ryerson University. She worked at the University of Toronto, first at the Munk Centre and then as Student Services Coordinator, roles she thoroughly enjoyed and where she made lifelong friendships. She thrived on her interaction with students, often housing them in her own home until they could find appropriate accommodation. For her work she received the University of Toronto Excellence Through Innovation Award.
When her illness eventually forced her to leave work, she turned her energies in a new direction. An active member of the C3 Church and, latterly, the Bethany Baptist Church, Joan was committed to helping others. She was open-hearted and her compassion and understanding for others was unbounded. She made countless sandwiches for the hungry and knitted scarves, hats and mittens for those in need.
Despite the myriad challenges of her disease, Joan had many joys in her life. Greatest among them was one she shared with Glen, their son Jacob. Joan was a loving and devoted mother, and she was enormously proud of Jacob.
Joan had a curious mind and was a true polymath. For the last few years, she sent a morning greeting to her many friends and family, informing us of such things as the origins of poutine, who the inventor of the saxophone was or reminding us that it was National Shakespeare Day. Sent a few days before she passed away, Joan’s last message was about the origin of the word, “Goodbye”.
The Family would like to thank the Nurses and Doctors at Michael Garron Hospital who cared for Joan over the past few months.
Donations in memory of Joan can be made to your charity choice or the following:
Michael Garron Hospital
https://mghf.akaraisin.com/ui/donate/donations/start?it=1&amt=50
Lupus Ontario https://www.lupusontario.org/donate/
Visitation at Paul O’Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M1R 2Y8 on Thursday, February 9, 2023 will be from 2:00 P.M to 3:00 P.M . The Service will be held at 3:00 P.M with a reception to follow.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5