BAILEY, Joan Estelle (nee Robins) passed away peacefully at the age of 94 with her family by
her side at Butternut Manor in Uxbridge on Friday, October 25th, 2019. Beloved wife of the late
Jack (d.1990). Beloved mother to Robin (Marie), Joanne (Ken Holt), John (Clare) and Janet
(Heino). Loving sister to the late Jean Lamont and Bruce (d.). Adored by her grandchildren Brian
(Lindsay), Andrew, Kristy (Robert), Katie (Jason), James, Megan, McCartney and Dryden. Great
grandmother to Landen, Mackenzie, Avery and Lauren. Dear Aunt of Doug and Ann Lamont,
Gail Mowbray and Cathy Robinson.
Joan was born in Midland, Ontario on June 9th, 1925 and delighted in small town life and the
strong roots it provided. The depression and war years left an indelible mark and Joan shared
her experiences with fondness and care, bringing her experiences to life for a younger
generation. A lover of basketball, Joan played on the high school team and the YWCA was a
favourite place to spend time with friends. In the summer she was a ‘Girl of Kitchikewana’ Camp
on Georgian Bay. Joan left Midland to attend Victoria College at the University of Toronto and
after graduation, in 1950 she married her forever love – Jack. Joan supported Jack through his
early career and became a steadfast and hardworking partner in his dream to create his own
business that is still in the family and going strong over 60 years later.
Many happy years together raising their four children with much of their time spent at the
cottage on the shores of Lake Bernard in Sundridge Ontario where Jack was born. This setting
instilled a strong connection with the outdoors and an appreciation for what can be learned from
the simple truths of nature. Joan’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have no end
of wonderful memories of their time growing up in a home filled with kindness and love. With
crafts, crossword puzzles, scrabble, card and board games always on the go, Joan’s years as a
teacher in Newmarket prepared her for a life where she happily included children in her
favourite pastimes. Volunteerism was a commitment taken seriously and Joan spent countless
hours involved with The Girl Guides, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and St. John’s Convalescent
Hospital in Toronto. The many friendships Joan formed throughout her life withstood time and
distance and helped to create an extended family of adopted ‘Aunties’ and ‘Uncles’ who became
an integral part of the Bailey family. Needless to say, Joan was cherished by young and old and
all who had the privilege to know her learned from her generous nature, her positive outlook and
her wise insights garnered during a long life well lived. A private family service will take place at St. Andrew’s-St. James Cemetery in Orillia. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. To send a message of condolence, please visit wctownfuneralchapel.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joan Estelle Bailey Friday October 25th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario