CLARK, Joan Tatton (Gregory), daughter of the late Eustace Tatton Gregory and Dorothy Mary Wilson Bell, originally of Windsor, Ontario, passed away peacefully in Ottawa on July 24, 2021. Pre-deceased by husband Stuart Clark and sister Jacqueline Bell Gregory.
Dear mother of Dick (Margie), Greg (Helen), Nancy (Roy), and Jim (Hilary). Loving Grandmother of Eric (Lycette), Hilary (Andrew), Alex, Patrick (Heather), Kelsey (Nigel), Adrienne (Matt), Gillian (Kyle), Olivia, and Sandra. Great-grandmother of Ewan, Fiona, Shannon, Sean, Jack, Molly, Abigail, and Margot.
Joan was born in Windsor, Ontario, where she attended Dougall Avenue Public School and Kennedy Collegiate. Joan had very fond memories of growing up in Windsor. She adored her family and spent her days playing with her big sister. Evenings were spent around the grand piano that graced their living room. It was during frequent trips to Detroit with her family that she developed a passion for music and opera that continued throughout her life. Joan also loved the idyllic summers that she spent at Ipperwash Beach with her sister and chums.
Joan and Stuart were high school sweethearts. They married in 1944 in Montreal shortly after Stuart’s graduation from Queen’s and the start of his commission in the Royal Canadian Navy. During the remainder of World War II they lived in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Their cozy home is still standing and she was recently delighted to see pictures of it and to reminisce about the war years.
Moving frequently during their marriage, Joan and Stuart lived in Windsor, then Toronto, Dartmouth, Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Prescott, Buckingham, Dunnville, Brantford, and finally, back to Toronto. In each new place, Joan made long-lasting friends whom she treasured. She also took great care to make each new house a home, complete with lovely gardens and delicious Sunday roast dinners!
Joan soldiered up to our water-access cottage at Severn Falls for many years, transporting and serving prodigious quantities of exceptional food to her growing family with very primitive equipment to assist her.
Following retirement and sale of the cottage, Joan and Stuart travelled the world and delighted in the food and cultures that they encountered. She also loved to sit by herself on the beach and soak up the sun while Stuart explored historical venues or went off painting.
After caring for her husband and then her sister during their years of failing health, Joan made her final move to Ottawa where she was able to relax and have others take care of her. She loved to have friends in and family to visit her at her retirement home, where she showed pictures of the newest grandchild or great-grandchild with pride!
Many thanks to the caring staff at Maplewood Retirement Community. And more recently, special thanks for the kind and compassionate care she received from staff at the Ottawa General Hospital.
She lived a full, interesting and happy life and will be missed by all.
Funeral will take place on August 14, 2021 at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home and Chapel. Due to COVID restrictions, it will be limited to immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
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