Joan Valerie Stuart
November 22, 2014
Joan Valerie Stuart died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday November 22, 2014 in her home at McGarrell Place in London. She was surrounded by the love of family and friends right to the end. She is predeceased by her dearly missed sister Yolande Willitts of Myrtle Beach and survived by her loving husband Clarence “Stu” of McGarrell Place, London, and her devoted brother Garry Ferrier who lives in Toronto. Joan and Stu did many things together as they travelled the world, ran the family businesses, and raised their two children Barbara-Jo “Jocelain”, of Paris, Ontario and Robert Bruce “Bob”, of Ingersoll. Grandchildren Erin Michelle and Holt Keenan Stuart-Hitchcox spent precious time with Grandma at the end of her over 90 years on earth as did her beloved daughter-in-law Carol Stuart. Erin and Dayan Boyce have two children who graced Joan’s life with great-grandson Logan Alexander and soon-to-arrive great-granddaughter. Step-grandchildren Adam, Mark, Cherie, and Christine Dalton all fell into Joan’s circle of love of her big adopted family. Son-in-law Stephen Hitchcox in Toronto admired her sunny disposition and clever wit. Joan was born in Nottingham, England on December 15, 1923 and grew up near London, England until her family immigrated to Canada in the early 1930s. The family lived in Toronto and briefly Kitchener, spending their summers on Centre Island. Joan describes her childhood as the happiest she could imagine, surrounded by the support and love of her mother Delia “Pat” A’Hern and father Alan Ramsey Ferrier. Her career passion was office work and bookkeeping. She met the love of her life shortly after the war in 1947 and they married months later and moved to Val d’Or, Quebec where they lived and ran a furniture store for 18 years. In 1965, they moved to London, Ontario and opened a boutique men’s shoe store on Dundas Sreet. Several years later they bought a farm outside of London where Mom was able to ride her horses Gold and Junior. Joan and Stu travelled, golfed, skied, played tennis, and cycled together enjoying the great outdoors near and far. When they sold the farm and retired in London, they owned a winter retreat near Sarasota, Florida for a few years. Mom loved music, art, clothes, and people with a passion. She always looked incredibly put-together and her inner peace and outward grace were extended to all. She was ready to move on in her journey and died after a full and contented life: in her words, “a wonderful life”. We will be celebrating her life at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North on Thursday November 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Private family interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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Jocelain, with a heavy heart, please accept my condolences on death of your mom. Nothing in the world can ever replace her but with your family and their love surrounding you, I know you'll be strong enough to face the world and she will smile at you from heaven. Love you!
Well written with so much love. I will be with you in thought and spirit on Thursday.
Dear Bob, Carol and Family...thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy. Hold your memories close, they will warm your heart and make you smile in the days ahead. I will be thinking of you all tomorrow...may your beloved Mom rest in peace. xoxo
MEMORIAL FOR MY COUSIN JOAN I first met my cousin Joan 40 years ago when I made my first visit to North America in January 1973 travelling from Australia via South Africa and England. She lived in the London area with her husband Stu (a WWII Bomber Pilot war hero). I think they owned a shoe shop as she was trying to give me a pair of shoes as a present. I remember them having a small farm with Aberdeen Angus bulls and eating one of those steaks. I also met her daughter Jocelain and son Bob. A few days earlier, I had stayed with her mother, meeting my cousin Garry and Yolande’s daughters Jane & Suzan who I had written to as pen pal & Jane’s daughter Melanie. I did not know at that time how significant London would be for me as returned in 1979 to work at the University of Western Ontario for several weeks, staying with Joan & Stu for 2 of those weeks. I returned again in 1985 driving from the Detroit to stay with them for a few days and remember playing Golf with them. I also visited in 1990 on a work related trip. Both Joan & Stu are an example and inspiration to all who knew them. Their generation is known as “The Greatest Generation” that grew up after the deprivation of the Great Depression and then went on after the War to develop a nation to be proud of. She loved her food and wine & we had many nights listening to music and talking about the world’s problems. It is fitting that we say goodbye to her on Thanks-giving as we are truly thankful to have known her and be related. The vast distances that separate relatives prevents us seeing each other as much as we would like, but my visits were always enjoyable & I always looked forward to them. That is why I pay tribute to a beautiful Person who will be greatly missed by her relatives in Australia. Much Love From Dr Michael Dean, Mrs Eileen Barnett, & Mrs Asthore Dean Daughters Ms Katie Dean & Ms Bridget Dean
Dear Jocelain We will be thinking of you and Holt and the rest of your family tomorrow as you say good-bye to your dear mother and grandmother. I remember meeting her at birthday parties for Holt and at Christmas many years ago and she was such a delight each time. You have been a wonderful care-giver to her and I am sure she found that a one of her most wonderful blessings. Take care dear sister-in-law. With Love Brenda,Mike, Andrew,Jenna and Natalie
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Jocelain, my condolences to you and your family. Your mother sounds like she was a wonderful person. She had a big, full life but I know you will miss her terribly. There was obviously a lot of love there.
~ Gael Spivak