Joan Elizabeth Bouskill
April 13, 1940 – December 20, 2021
Joan Bouskill passed away peacefully with family at her side in Hamilton, Ontario, after a lengthy illness from congestive heart failure. We wish to thank Dr. Erin Gallagher, Dr. Nicholas Tompkins and the Emmanuel House Hospice team for their compassionate care during our mother’s final days.
Daughter of David Holden and Mary Dorothy (Bain) Bouskill, Joan is survived by her brothers, John (Carol) and Robert Bouskill; daughters, Lisa, Sara and Andrea; grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Alexander, Aleya and Liam; and seven great-grandchildren.
Joan was a vivacious and well-read woman, whose love of family, travel, art, history, global affairs, fashion and cuisine featured throughout her life. Growing up in Burlington, Ontario, Joan’s talents as an artist and couturier were apparent from a young age. As a teenager, she won several design competitions, and her oil painting graced the walls of the Burlington Central High School for many years.
As a young mother, Joan lived in Germany and France, where she immensely enjoyed the many art galleries, museums, cultures and cuisines. Always ever so stylishly dressing her daughters and herself in exquisite clothing of her own creation.
A life-long learner, she studied English at McMaster University, fine arts at McGill University, fashion design at Sheridan College, and took photography, fur and leather courses at George Brown College. Joan earned her B.A. in History from Waterloo University and her TESL certificate from Brock University.
Joan actively volunteered with several cultural and community organizations and gave generously to many charities. Over her eighty-one years, she travelled throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. For several March-break vacations, she bravely loaded her children into an old yellow Pontiac and took them on memorable camping trips to Myrtle Beach.
Family get-togethers were a favourite, where everyone pitched in to create a gourmet feast and conversations were lively. At Christmas, she loved to gift her family with a festive gingerbread house, home-baked cookies and the occasional hand-knit or hand-sewn treasure. Our mom could always be counted on to send celebratory birthday, anniversary, and holiday wishes. She is deeply missed.
Joan will be cremated, and her ashes scattered in the ocean. A private Celebration of Life will join the family, all dressed in our finest, to toast the many happy memories she gave us.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joan Elizabeth Bouskill Monday December 20th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario