Joan Marie Lucille Bruce 

Joan Bruce was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbour. She passed away on October 5, 2023 in her 76th year with her loving family by her side at Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Ontario.

The fourth child born to Dolores and William Barnicke on May 1, 1948 in Toronto, Ontario, Joan grew up along with her siblings Bill, Marilyn and Judy in their home on Mississauga Road. Her father’s family roots were in Saskatchewan, where they farmed prior to moving to Ontario… perhaps that’s how Joan developed her love for the colour green and passion for tending to her backyard flower gardens.

Joan’s total existence revolved around her tightly connected, loving family of 16, including her husband Paul, her three children – Debi (Perry), Andy (Laura) and Karen (Kert) – and her eight wonderful grandchildren – Brendan, Tyler, Makenna, James, Eleyna, Griffin, John and Thomas. Joan shared a unique and special bond with each of her children and grandchildren (whom she referred to as the “Magnificent Eight”). The lessons she taught, love she showed and profound impact she had on each of them will continue to guide, comfort and inspire them. They know they will never be alone.

Joan met her husband Paul in 1969, while they both worked at IBM. They were married on February 13, 1971, and she shepherded Paul through their 52 + years of marriage. Joan and Paul loved the coincidence that their respective parents had been married on the very same day (August 12, 1939) in Toronto and England. Joan and Paul enjoyed the most recent 43 years of their life together in Joan’s proud home in Sharon, Ontario… including over 18 of those years with “Pepsi”, her beloved Bichon Frisé, by Joan’s side. Joan enjoyed looking out over her gardens from the backyard deck she personally designed and having long conversations by her wood-burning fireplace, but she loved nothing more than laughter during family gatherings around her dining room table (Christmas was her favourite celebration to host) and watching her grandchildren splash and play in her swimming pool. Friends of Joan’s children will fondly remember always feeling welcomed into her home as if it were their own.

Joan had a life-long passion for exploration and adventure that began with her late teenage years when she drove with girlfriends on trips to Expo ‘67 in Montreal, San Francisco in her friend’s MGB via Route 66, and later to Vancouver in her own 1966 Mustang. For a period of time in the late 1980’s, exploring the open road only required half as many wheels for Joan…her Honda 650 motorcycle was all she needed! In 2003 she returned to enjoying wind-blown hair behind the wheel of her new convertible Audi TT Roadster… a car she insists be used by all her grandchildren to learn the skill and thrill of driving a stick-shift.

Travel was a big part of Joan’s life. After meeting Paul, she enjoyed many trips to Europe, Asia, Australia, Israel, South America and the Caribbean. Family life presented the opportunity to share her passion to explore with her children. Family trips were on the agenda most years, including memorable vacations to Florida (Disney), Western Canada (skiing in Banff), Hawaii, England, Paris and the Caribbean (grandkids included). Weekend getaways and nights on the town in various parts of Ontario (spa trips, dinner, theatre and stays at the Royal York in Toronto) were relished! Wherever adventure took her (and to the continuous amazement of her travel companions), Joan’s keen sense of direction always put local guidebooks and GPS technology to shame. As a last resort, Joan would refer to an old school paper map.

Joan’s passion for travel and unique talent for arranging trips fostered her career within the Travel and Tourism Industry. Joan prided herself on making sure that family, friends and clients alike experienced their perfect vacation, without compromise!

In later years, Joan loved her summer vacations with her growing family at various cottages and resorts in Ontario, including on Lake of Bays and Kennisis Lake. As the family matriarch, “Grandma” was always the organizer for these trips, and she ensured that they went off without a hitch.

Joan also had an incredible eye for colour and a natural talent for décor and design. She leveraged these abilities to pursue various entrepreneurial endeavours, primarily in the interior decorating field. Her fashion sense extended to her own wardrobe, especially her large collection of distinctive scarves which would tastefully accent her outfits.

Shopping excursions were one of Joan’s favourite ways to spend time with friends - Sample Sale outings provided an especially unique opportunity for memorable “finds” for her own and family members’ wardrobes. She always knew how to pick the perfect gift (fashion or otherwise). She would wrap it with care and present it along with a perfectly-positioned plan for how and when/where it could be worn/used.

Joan was a loyal friend to many and she nurtured her close friendships over lengthy phone calls (many daily), frequent text message exchanges, visits and outings, weekends at friends’ cottages, travel, pizza and drinks, tea times, leisurely lunches, or wine pairings. Joan loved to host family and friends, especially on her back deck.

All those who knew Joan recognized her compassion for others, and she constantly reached out to advise and assist her family, friends, neighbours and even strangers if she thought she could lend them a hand. Joan had a genuine interest and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, but one of her greatest attributes was her knack for making her family and friends feel as though they were the most important person in her life by providing her undivided attention.

Joan is forever remembered as a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Friend and Neighbour. Everyone who knew Joan has a better life because of her.

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