Joan Thomson

Joan was born in Alberta, to Dr. Reginald (“Reg”) and Isabell Hamilton (nee McIntyre). The family soon moved to British Columbia, for several years before settling in a community west of Montreal, where Joan spent her formative years. As the daughter of a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse—and the niece of a head librarian—it was perhaps no surprise that after high school she pursued university studies. She first studied at McGill University before attending Harvard University, where she completed a master’s degree in Classics. Joan went on to teach English at Rosemère High School in Quebec, eventually becoming head of the English department.

Joan had a genuine curiosity about people and their stories. An avid reader and an enthusiast of both tennis and Formula 1, music holding a special importance in Joan’s life. A skilled pianist, she continued to play well into retirement. Together with her husband, Alex, she travelled with his high school bands to countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Britain, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, and Austria. Joan also loved singing and took part in many church choirs over the years. Most recently, she sang with the Avonmore-Finch-Martintown three-point pastoral charge and the Seaway Valley Singers, which she enjoyed participating in.

After retiring, Joan and Alex moved from Rosemère to an acreage in Lunenburg, Ontario. The property allowed Joan to continue to enjoy gardening, and before long they discovered a fondness for local auctions—so much so that they eventually worked at a few. They loved camping as well and often spent their summers in their travel trailer at nearby Long Sault. They had many happy times in their Lunenburg home, including many family Thanksgiving dinners and evenings with a scotch by the fireplace.

Joan will be lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law, Liz Moore, and by her nephews Rob Hamilton (Shelagh Daly), Dave Hamilton (Kathleen), and Doug Hamilton. She was a proud great-aunt six times over, and a great-great aunt once.

Joan was predeceased by her brother, Robert Duncan Hamilton (1994), and by her beloved husband of 55 years, Alexander (“Alex”) Lumsden Thomson (2022).

We extend our deepest gratitude for the special, loving, and supportive friendship that Bill Dixon, his daughter Cheryl Tourangeau, her husband Claude, and their son Pierre-Alexandre "Alex" all shared with Joan.

Celebration of Life service will be held in the spring. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Home West Branch (613-932-8482).

Those wishing to honour Joan’s memory may do so by donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.