July 14, 1936, Glace Bay, Cape Breton NS – January 4, 2025, Alliston
Joan passed in peace, comfort and dignity at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, following her beloved Jack, who went before only six months ago. Born to loving parents Mary and Fred Cooling, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, she was raised in Toronto along with sisters Freddie and Lynda, and brother William. She met Jack when she was only 14, and he 18. They were a study in contrasts, but best friends for over 70 years. Joan was a proud mother to John (Dominique), Daniel, Lori (Marc) and Jeffrey (Melinda). Nana to Matthew, Marie, Harold and Chlöe, and Great-grandma to Louis and Aurélien.
Joan loved family life and was happiest and most confident raising young kids and making beautiful homes (and pies), but she also worked diligently at her passion for art, eventually becoming a prolific amateur artist. She studied at the Blue Mountain School of Fine Art, the Buckhorn School of Fine Art, took and taught courses at Georgian College and other locales, and was a member of the South Simcoe Arts Council and the Orangeville Art Group. In the last few years, having moved from the Fergus area back to Alliston to be closer to family, she was able to renew some acquaintance with area artists at The Gibson Centre’s open studio days. While her skills may have been fading, she just loved to take in the ambience and enjoy the creativity of others. She had a keen eye for form, colour and beauty and could see details and interest in the most ordinary things. Her works in oil, acrylic, pen and ink, and water colour as well as her folk art were exhibited, sold, gifted and cherished.
Our girl was fun, witty, generous, and young at heart. She was also sensitive and empathetic, feeling things deeply. She and Jack, the sassy sweetheart and the rebel, were a team, and while things got challenging at the end, their love for each other and their pride in their family was always there. Dementia is a cruel affliction that many families contend with. You lose bits of your person and their personality changes in strange and affecting ways. Joan managed still to shine through those clouds most days, and her fighting spirit earned her a little fan club amongst her wonderful caregivers. We would like to thank our loyal and loving friend, whom we affectionately call, Sainte Norma, for years of support, helping keep The Joan and Jack Show on the road. Norma says it takes a village to do elder care. Our heartfelt thanks also to our Auntie Freddie, one who has “been there” and whose love and support, as well as the many nice lunches she put on for us, kept the family circle going for Mom. Formidable dames, these Cooling women.
We also wish to acknowledge the hardworking nursing staff of Stevenson Memorial Hospital and the exceptional team of great hearts who make up Matthews House Hospice. These vital resources need strong community support so others can benefit as we did. We will be forever grateful for the kind and well-deserved passing you provided for our mother.
Cremation has taken place and Joan will join Jack for “a walk in the woods” at The Arboretum in Guelph. If you wish to make an in memoriam donation, we know she would be pleased with support to Matthews House Hospice or The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture in Alliston.
With respect for Joan’s wishes, there will not be a service.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).
A tree will be planted in memory of Joan Scheffel in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.