It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Hamilton on September 30, 2024 at Guelph General Hospital in her 91st year.
Mom was very blessed to lead a full and long life. Now she is reunited with her husband Laverne and at peace.
Joan is survived by her sister Marlene (Doug) Cockburn, her children Kim (Cindy) Hamilton, Deborah Skelly, Julie (Shawn) Merilees, grandchildren, great grandchildren and nephews .
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Laverne in 2011.
Mom grew up in Kitchener the elder of two girls to Glenn and Grace Hamilton. During their early years her father was deployed with the 43rd Highlanders at the beginning of WW2. It was a time of hardship for all to be separated for such a long period. A proud memory for them was hearing their dad on the CBC radio playing guitar and singing to his fellow troops.
Like other families during these harsh times they took in boarders to support their income and everyone was expected to pitch in. They learned responsibility at a young age but it didn’t deter the shenanigans the two girls got up to at times.
Later on Mom was introduced to a young man from Mount Forest and it was as they say, love at first sight. They married, settled in Guelph and had three children.
Mom spent many of her years as a home maker and we loved coming home for lunch and her being there at the end of the school day. As we got older mom sought other challenges and accepted a job in the cutting room of Wyndham Textiles where she could apply her creativity. She remained working there until they closed.
She loved her job and all the many people she met. She was always interested in people and would start up conversations with complete strangers whether at the movie theatre, waiting for the bus, grocery store, hospital waiting room it didn’t matter where, dad would tease her about it all the time.
She loved going out dancing with dad on Saturday nights, playing card games, making things at craft clubs, joining a bowling league, going out for lunch on Fridays and having long phone calls with her sister in BC… more shenanigans!
She was always very supportive of her children and was happy to have her son’s band practice in the basement. It was all worthwhile and she couldn’t have been prouder when they were the opening act for the legendary Marty Robbins.
She dearly loved and was very proud of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Graveside Service will take place on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery (762 Woolwich Street, Guelph).
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Parkinson’s or MS.
If you would like to leave a favourite memory/story or message of condolence, please visit www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com