Wilhelmina Joan Charlton

Joan passed peacefully away on the evening of January 5, 2022.

Joan was a true light in any room – with her broad radiant grin, famous ‘ta da’ poses to be sure you noticed her own magnificence and her deep, genuine, lively interest and passion for those she loved and adored – and all whom they loved and adored as well.

Joan is predeceased by too many who loved her, including her parents Paddy (Frederick Ira Lewis) and Wilhelmina (Wilhelmina Eleanor Lewis, née Aird), her brothers Aird and Harry, her husband Tony and her son Ted.

Joan will be desperately missed by her daughter Eleanor, son Ian, daughter-in-law Sara, grandchildren Abigail, Sam, Lucy and Wyatt, and her nieces and nephews Wynn, Adam, Sian, Bethan, Tony, Kiri, Jessica, Andrea, Gillian, Gordon, Brefney, Jennett and Emma. None will forget her famous vice-like grip as she held your hand to cross any street – intent on keeping you safe no matter what might occur – a measure of how much she treasured you.

Old friends and neighbours will fondly remember Joan from long-ago Toronto communities centred around Glenview Avenue and Glengrove Avenue where she was a young parent in the days of red pant suits, transistor radios and children’s birthday parties in the backyard. Old friends from Havergal and the University of Toronto will remember English class, hilarious adventures to Europe, as well as giggles and sun, and a fairy-tale wedding at Nonikiln on Lake Simcoe.

Colleagues, mentors and friends will have memories of Joan from her work as a primary school teacher with the Toronto District School Board where her love for children was clear and her horizon for understanding a larger, more complex world began to broaden. Some students may even still remember how they learned to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star as she led the way on the piano. And some at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Toronto will recall her work there as an Elder, as well as her, no doubt often outspoken, contributions to Bible Study, the Boarding Homes Ministry and many Sunday services and events.

Residents of Cabbagetown, Toronto, where Joan lived so happily for 24 years, will mourn the loss of their exuberant neighbour – her happy waves and ‘yoo-hoos’ from the window or front step as they passed by. A special thanks is owed to this Toronto community where Joan was graciously honoured and protected as she entered the beginning stages of dementia. The kindness and care of her Amelia Street neighbours and the community at large was magnificent.

Great gratitude is also owed to all staff at Elginwood Long Term Care Home and the Palliative Care Unit at Mackenzie Health Hospital for their immense compassion and hard work as they gently and respectfully cared for Joan toward the end of her life.

Before Joan stopped speaking as part of her dementia, one of her favourite and fervent refrains was “You are GOOD!” It became her last signature echo, but remained testament to her unshakeable admiration for the resilience and strength she saw in the people she loved and all that they endured and accomplished.

Joan was an intense, tenacious, practical, lively, fun, engaged, generous and loving person. She is greatly loved and greatly missed.

A funeral service for Joan will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, located at 73 Simcoe Street in Toronto. Please note, proof of vaccine is required to attend in person. The service will be webcast for those unable to attend due to COVID restrictions and cautions. A link to the live stream can be found on the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home website at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca. Following the service Joan will be buried at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Innisfil, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, if preferred, the family asks you to consider a donation in Joan’s memory to the Alzheimer Society, Toronto (alz.to) or the Regent Park School of Music (rpmusic.org).