Joan B. Grant
1936-2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joan
Beatrice Grant, age 85, of New Glasgow, on Feb 28, 2022, at home. Joan
was born in New Glasgow, a daughter of the late Mable (Yerxa) Fraser
and the late Walter Fraser formerly of Priestville, Pictou County,
Nova Scotia. Joan is the wife of Brigadier-General The Honourable JJ
Grant CM, CMM, ONS, CD(Ret’d) former Lieutenant Governor of
Nova Scotia.
Joan attended Priestville School, New Glasgow High School and
graduated from East Pictou Rural High School in 1953. She then
attended Maritime Business College in New Glasgow in 1953 and
qualified as Clerk –Typist.
During her school years she was involved in several sports
and enjoyed skiing and skating as well being a Highland Dancer and one
of the original drummers of the Ceilidh Girls Pipe Band. Joan had
played tenor and bass drums and was their first Drum Major. This band
performed for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a Royal visit to
Halifax in 1951.
Joan had been employed at several businesses,
MacLeod’s Market and E David and Sons both in New Glasgow
and Blue Cross in Moncton, NB, prior to marrying Jim Grant in 1954 and
starting their family. Once the children were grown, she worked in the
office at JJ Grant Ltd for many years.
In 1964 she took up figure skating, eventually coaching and
qualifying as a competition judge and judging for many years. Joan
served with the Heather Figure Skating Club for 27 years and was on
the executive for many of those years. She was also a member of the
YMCA of Pictou County and for a period taught swimming to school
children.
Joan was an executive member of the Mothers Club of the
Pictou County Highland Dancers, serving as President (1977-1978). She
also served as Highland Dancing Competition Chair for the Festival of
the Tartans (1974-1978).
Joan was always supportive of all the activities her children
were involved in and for many years drove Cubs, Scouts, hockey
players, skaters, dancers and others to events around NS and later the
Maritimes, at times piloting a huge 1960’s station wagon and
later her VW Camper Van, that some may recall at dancing
competitions.
Joan was a cancer survivor since the late 1970’s
and rarely allowed her pain or discomfort to interfere with any
activities she wanted to attend, either supporting Jim’s
military career or their kids or grandchildren. She spent many hours
in cold rinks for hockey games or speed skating competitions and hot
Highland Games Fields when she eventually had two Pipes and Drums
drummers, going as far away as Ontario. Additionally, she always had
plenty of love and support for many extended family
members.
She was a founding member of the Fraser Holmes Memorial
Ladies’ Pipe Band and was the first Drum Major, as well as a
tenor drummer. Joan performed at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo
1983,1984 and 1985 as well as many parades and a Highland Games in
Georgia, USA.
Jim and Joan have travelled extensively, vacations all across
Canada, Scotland, Germany, France, Bermuda, USA, Bahamas and more;
also many conferences both business related and
military.
A wonderful opportunity appeared in 2012 when Jim was
appointed to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and
they served as the Vice-Regal couple until 2017. Joan attended many
events along with Jim and occasionally on her own to some such as at
the IWK Hospital. This was a role that she sometimes said she would
not have chosen for herself, but performed with grace and dedication,
supporting Jim throughout and making us all very proud of them both.
Joan and Jim truly appreciated all the wonderful staff members at
Government House who were so attentive and treated them just like
family members. They also have many fond memories of all the
remarkable Nova Scotians they encountered during their travels
throughout the province and at events at Government
House.
Besides her husband Jim, Joan is survived by son Bob (Donna),
New Glasgow; daughter Kirsten (Mike) Patterson, Fredericton, NB;
grandchildren, Jamie Grant (Amy Fiske), Liverpool, NS; Scott Grant
(Dawn McSweeney) Montreal; Kelsey Patterson (Steve Tong), Cole
Harbour, NS; Ross Grant (Yanan Gou) Halifax; Devin Patterson,
Fredericton, NB; sister Sylvia Kirwan, New Glasgow; sister-in-law
Shirley Grant, New Glasgow.
Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her brother Bob
Fraser; sons, Rob and Kerry and a daughter Susan in infancy;
father-in-law George Grant; mother-in-law Dorothy Grant;
brother-in-law Willie Kirwan.
As per Joan’s wishes there will be no funeral or
visitation. A graveside committal service will be held later in the
year.
Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the
Canadian Cancer Society, IWK Children’s Hospital or a
charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral
Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joan B Grant 19362022..
Death notice for the town of: New-Glasgow, Province: Nova Scotia