Obituary Overview
Joan Van den Broeck
With enthusiasm, zest and an unwavering certainty Joan Van den Broeck tackled life. When she took on a task you knew she would approach it with all her ferocity.
Born in Goderich Ontario, Joan was the daughter of Ernest (Barney) and Mona Davis. She attended GDCI and was an athletic teenager who loved a competition swimming and diving.
In the early months of 1964 she set her sights on a handsome air force man who had the benefits of owning a car. It wasn’t long before they became engaged and married in October of 1964. Although she started her career as an RNA, she went on to work as a secretary prior to having 2 children, John and Elizabeth. As they grew so did her commitments and involvement in community. The results of her dedication are seen in her involvement that saved the Huron County Historic Gaol and the Goderich Livery Theater in the 70’s. Joan was also on the Huron County Board of Education and served a number of terms as the Chair of the Board.
Joan worked as the fundraising coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation where she founded the Jump Rope for Heart program. She went on too work as the Volunteer and Fund-Raising Coordinator of the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society where she founded the Kids Booster Club and Clown Alley and was instrumental in the growth of the Huron County Christmas Bureau, touching the lives of so many people.
This year marked her 30th as a member of the IODE. Always a willing volunteer on committees with her hand up to help anywhere she was needed. She served as co-chair of the IODE Christmas House tour 3 years ago, no small task.
Through her entire life Joan was known for her love of horses. Her horse passion was infectious, and she used that passion to help others whether it was horse related or not. The briefest mention of the topic of horses was all it took for Joan to launch into action and invite you into her life. She revelled in trail rides, horse shows, clinics, and simple time spent just brushing her horse Kelly. Every opportunity to wear her fringe jacket and Boulet boots was a great opportunity to her. She recently found an outlet for this passion as an active member of the Reach Center board.
Joan is dearly missed by her husband Ed and their children; John Van den Broeck his wife Barb Elliott and daughter Brooke Campbell-Patterson; Elizabeth Van den Broeck, her husband Scott Profit and their sons Kaelan and Justin Profit; her brother Walter Davis and his children Alistair Davis with his wife Martha and their children Aubrey and Levi; his daughter Adrienne and her husband Bruce with their daughter Samantha.
It was a great ride and her life will be cherished by all of those she touched.
The family will receive friends at McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, Goderich on Friday October 26, 2018 from 6-9 PM. The funeral Service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, Goderich on Saturday October 27 at 11 AM. Interment Colborne Cemetery Memorial donations to the I.O.D.E Maple Leaf Chapter gratefully acknowledged.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joan Lurenia Van den Broeck 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Goderich, Province: Ontario
