Joan Barbara Sumner (de Kat)

Their neighbourhood of Ville Emard was home to many relatives from both sides of the family. Joan spent the war years living with various Aunts and Uncles in the Montreal area while their family grew. Joan completed high school at Verdun High and went straight into nursing studies at Montreal General Hospital. Upon graduation she immediately began working at MGH.

In 1957 Joan married B.C. de Kat, after meeting him at a Church Youth Group. Settling together in Montreal their first son, Frank, was born in 1959. They moved to Saskatoon where Peter was born in 1961. In 1963 the family moved to Toronto shortly before Barbara was born. In 1969 Philip was born and then Valerie in 1971. In 1973 the whole de Kat family moved to Lynden, Ontario.

With five children of a wide age range, and a husband who worked from home, Joan sometimes needed to “get out of the house”. This began a new chapter of her active community involvement. Joan taught crochet classes from the family kitchen, volunteered with the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Women’s Institute, UCW, 4H, Community Buy and Sell Sale, as well as running the household and helping with Bert’s business, all while tending a large vegetable garden and putting down preserves at the end of each season. Sewing was her hobby but also a way to help keep the family clothed.

In 1983, Joan moved to Brantford with her 2 youngest children. Creative skills and love of working with children led her to a position at the YM-YWCA, where she taught children’s programs. Here she got involved with several local Museums, Book Camp, Literacy Council, CNIB, St Leonard’s Society and other outreach organizations.

Joan’s interest in history motivated her to complete courses through the Ontario Museum Association which lead to work at Wentworth Heritage Village, while volunteering for other historical institutions. Joan delighted in giving demonstrations of all the steps to make an historically accurate woolen garment– shear the sheep, prepare, dye, and spin the wool, and then crochet her wool into a shawl. This then led to work at Brant County Museum.

Leaving the not-for-profit sector Joan shortly worked for a Chemical Company that ended up closing after an explosion (true story!). This inspired Joan to start her own business. At the time, government legislation mandated companies to adhere to a national workplace hazard communication standard, dubbed WHMIS. Joan started up her business “Organization…Plus” offering her organizational skills to introduce and set up WHMIS protocols for local Businesses.

Sewing and crocheting were Joan’s passions. When she could find a way to use these skills for a volunteer project, she was most happy. She volunteered to make costumes for Ichthys Theatre and other community events. She did sewing alterations and repairs for people with disabilities and the elderly. She sewed sun bonnets for the Cancer Society.

Unfortunately, in 2000, Joan suffered a heart attack and in 2001 underwent bypass surgery. Rather than slowing down, Joan put her time to good use. Not only did she volunteer for agencies, but she found some needs she wanted to address on her own, through local churches. She collected unwanted artificial Christmas trees during the year and donated them to needy families at Christmas. Joan also coordinated the donation of gently used Bedding and Sheets and distributing to the less fortunate at Community Breakfasts.

In these endeavours Joan was helped by many friends and community members. She enjoyed this camaraderie and friendships and appreciated being able to give back. In 2012 a close friend nominated her for the Governor General’s “Caring Canadian Award”. At a public ceremony attended by all 5 of her children, their spouses and Joan’s grandchildren, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, David Onley and other dignitaries presented her with a wonderful certificate and pin. In true Joan fashion she used her thank you speech to implore more people to volunteer!

By 2018 Joan began to suffer from dementia and moved to Season’s Brantford. She was still active in her church, Followers of Christ, at Costain Community Centre. Her life became much simpler, and she was visited often by her family and close Brantford friends. She began spending a lot more time walking and sadly, less time sewing and volunteering. Interestingly, the strict daily routine brought on by the covid shutdown gave Mom great comfort. She missed the company of family and friends, but she knew she was safe and cared for.

In May 2022, after a series of health setbacks, Joan moved to Extendicare in Hamilton. Located across a playing field from Peter and his wife Linda’s home, Joan was content, with more care around her. After a short set back in October, Joan passed away on November 22, 2023. Joan is remembered by her siblings: Bob Sumner (Lois), Marion (Jacques Landry) and Margaret (Leon Shufelt). The Aunts and Uncle live in Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa and were the destination for many early family holidays with the cousins.

Joan’s children and grandchildren: Frank, Peter (Linda Kuik, Naomi and Luke, Paige, Jonathan and Kara and baby Lucy), Barbara (Gerry Campbell), Philip, Valerie (Dave Thielking, Daubney and Julien and Emalyn) will miss her dearly. Joan will be cremated and interred with her parents in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal. In lieu of flowers please send donations or “pay it forward” to your favourite Charity, in support of Volunteerism. Please take some time for a piece of chocolate, Mom’s favourite treat.

Online condolences can be left at cresmountfennellchapel.com