Parcourez la nécrologie de Joan Daynard Francis Monday May 6th 2024 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles.
Joan (Francis) Daynard (September 30, 1945 – May 6, 2024)
Joan Daynard of Stratford (formerly of Staffa) passed away peacefully at her home with her family at her side on May 6, 2024.
Beloved wife of the late Robin Daynard (2002). Dear mother of Kip (Jennifer) and Donya Dales (Edward). Loving grandmother of Solana, Gwynne and Riven. Dear sister of Philip Francis (Marie), sister-in-law of Terry Daynard (Dot) and Heather Daynard (Gavin Quiney). Dear aunt of Kelly, Karen and Gary and Andrea (Brant and Madelyn), Adam and Bay, Brendan and Maleah (Sienna and Grayson), Cara and Darren (Nathan and Ashley) Greg and Renata (Matthew, Jacob, Alyssa). Dear, special friend of Bernie Lawrance and family. Predeceased by her parents Alf and Anne Francis, father-in-law and mother-in-law Rev. Bert and Margaret Daynard.
Joan had a kind, generous and adventurous spirit. She loved her family fiercely. She saw the beauty in all of nature and all people. She always looked for the best in others and the positive side of situations, and she had an uncanny way of making people feel special. She gathered friends like one would gather flowers, nurturing these friendships across the years and often across many miles. She lived life to the fullest and, through her example, inspired others to do the same. She believed that life is about experiences and continual learning. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2021, she continued to live her life with grace and courage, and to take advantage of each moment.
Joan was born in 1945 and raised in Monkton, Ontario with her younger brother, Phil, with whom she maintained a special bond and friendship throughout her entire life. She went to Mitchell District High School where she met her future husband and travel partner, Robin Daynard of Staffa, during the last dance of Grade 9 (he in Grade 10).
They both graduated from post-secondary on the same day in June 1967 – Robin from Civil Engineering at the University of Guelph and Joan from London’s Victoria Hospital Nursing program. They were married the same year and moved to Hamilton where Joan worked as a nurse at the Henderson General Hospital.
In 1970 the two set off on what would turn out to be a 5-year life-changing adventure. It not only shaped their lives, but also that of their children and grandchildren – instilling in them a passion for seeing the world and experiencing new things. Robin and Joan bought a Volkswagen camper from the factory in Germany and set off around Europe, before travelling behind the iron curtain of the Soviet Union and on to Scandinavia via the Arctic Circle. Rather than end their travels there, they crossed the Bosphorus in Turkey into Asia and drove overland to India via a route that took them through Iran, Afghanistan and over the Khyber Pass into Pakistan. After exploring India for many months, they shipped their camper to Kenya where they settled for a while. During this time Joan worked as a nurse in the American embassy in Nairobi. This time also brought two little ones, son Kip, and daughter Donya. After 3 years in Nairobi, it was time to move on. With two babies in tow they continued down through southern Africa in their VW before shipping the vehicle to Australia, where they spent a further 6 months on a continent that would bring them back many times over their lifetime. It was at this point that the call of home was growing strong. They returned to Canada so their children could grow up close to grandparents in the Mitchell area. Family was such an important part of their lives.
The 100-acre farm they bought just east of Staffa was transformed over the subsequent 25 years into a botanical paradise. Joan’s love of birds, trees and flowers shone through, as well as her belief in the importance of neighbours and community. Both she and Robin were integral members of the Hibbert United church community where her father-in-law had been minister for so many years. It was during this time that Joan put her passion for travel to good use and started her second career as a travel agent with Ellison Travel in Exeter.
Joan and family were devastated in 2002 with the sudden loss of Robin at age 57. Joan carried on at the farm in Staffa with remarkable strength and grace, putting even more energy into her family, community and friendships. She eventually sold the farm and moved to Stratford where she stoked her love of the Arts and Theatre, becoming a volunteer for the Stratford Festival Theatre. She also became more active as a protector of the environment – as a regional representative on the Board of Ontario Nature and president of the Stratford Field Naturalists. She joined or created many social groups from her “Reaters” group to the “Breakfast Beauties”, Good Book Club, Plato’s Cafe, etc. … to her hiking, canoeing, skiing circles of friends and many more.
In 2015 or so, Joan found a new life partner in Bernie Lawrance. With Bernie, she shared a love of birds, of travel and adventure. Bernie was an incredible support for her and quickly became a close and cherished member of the Daynard family.
Joan has touched the lives of so many people with her warm smile and kind heart. Her family and friendships were the prime motivations of her life. Her network of friends was both vast and long-lasting. It spanned the globe and held strong for more than six decades. She carefully tended it with regular heartfelt letters, phone calls, emails and visits. She instilled a love of travel in her family, and shared her love of nature with her family and friends. Through her example, she taught us all how to be a good friend: to look people in the eye, to not only listen, but to hear what others have to say, to stay in touch, to be generous with your time, to say ‘yes’ to experiences and to new people, and to keep an open heart.
We will miss her dearly, but it gives us comfort to know that her memory will live on in the hearts of the countless people she has touched throughout her life and that the wonderful example of her life will echo through future generations.
Friends are invited to join in celebrating Joan’s life at the Lockhart Reception Centre, 116 Montreal St., Mitchell on Saturday May 25, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 pm with a sharing of stories and memories at approximately 4:00 pm. Memorial donations to Ontario Nature would be appreciated and may be made at LockhartFuneralHome.com.
Monday May 6th 2024
Décès pour la Ville:Mitchell, Province: Ontario
avis deces Joan Daynard Francis Monday May 6th 2024
nécrologie Joan Daynard Francis Monday May 6th 2024
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Joan Daynard Francis Monday May 6th 2024 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.