Joan Mary Emmerson

Joan Mary Emmerson age 91, of Toronto, passed away March 31, 2023 peacefully at home in her bed as she had hoped, and was surrounded by family for her last breaths. Joan was born in Inverness, Nova Scotia and grew up 30 km away in Port Hood. She was the 2nd of a family of 9 kids, 5 girls and 4 boys to Dr. Dan and Frances MacLellan. After graduating from the one-room schoolhouse in Port Hood, Joan spent her first working years as a teacher in rural Nova Scotia. After moving to Ontario, Joan worked in various positions, but spent most of her career with Philips Electronics.

Joan and Bill, her husband of 36 years, were very active and loved activities that kept them both remarkably fit for a long time, whether it was biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, skating every Saturday night with friends, or square dancing in hoedowns around the continent.

Joan was forever busy and didn’t like to be idle at any time. Her favorite pastimes included completing every crossword puzzle that she could get her hands on and making sure she read every article in the Toronto Star or any magazine. No page was left unread. Her biggest passion however was hosting family events; whether it was Easter, Christmas, birthdays, New Year’s, Thanksgiving or Canada Day, the meal and table were always prepared meticulously.

She and Bill also spent many hours volunteering for various charities, including preparing chili every month for the Toronto soup kitchen, delivering each week for “Meals on Wheels” or donating to one of the many dozens of charities that they never seemed to be able to say no to. Joan was very generous with her time and money, and helping and giving to others was very much a priority. She will be missed, but her presence will always be felt.

Loving mother of Gary (Margaret Anne Huxley) MacDonald. Joan will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren Brett, Jeffrey, Kelly and Anna. Step-mother of Jean, Audrey and Sheila and step-grandmother of Jennifer and Lindsay.

Survived by siblings Elaine (George) Hall, Carole (Paul) Lundy, Jack (Lynn) MacLellan, Anne (Steve) Malick and Brian, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Predeceased by her husbands William Emmerson, Henry Iwanski and Fabian MacDonald. Dear daughter of the late Dr. Dan and Frances MacLellan. Also predeceased by her sister Pauline, as well as her brothers Donald and Keith.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Joan's life will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (3220 Bayview Ave. Toronto) on Monday April 17, 2023 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at York Cemetery.

Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrettnorthyork.ca for the family.