January 13th, 1939 – July 7th, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joan on July 7th, 2022. At 83 years old she was still cheerful and independent, and she died peacefully in her sleep as she had hoped.
Joan was the loving Aunt of Lyn, Janice, Cheryl (Tom), Bruce (Tania), Barb (Steve) and Colin (Julie). Also the proud Great Aunt of Alexandra, Stephanie and Katharine; Katie and Susie; Kristin, Natalie (Jared) and Derek (Stephanie); and Maddie and Sarah. She was also very proud and excited to be Great Great Aunt to baby Miles.
Joan was predeceased by her parents Stella and Ira Atwood of Fort Erie, Ontario, her brother Ken of Toronto, and her sister-in-law Pam also of the GTA.
Joan grew up in Fort Erie and graduated from Fort Erie High School in 1957. She was the only woman in her class to go on to university. She attended Queen’s University to obtain her BA and BPHE degrees.
Joan joined the Girl’s Physical and Health Education Department at Northern Secondary School in Toronto in 1962. She remained at the same school for 33 years before retiring in 1995. During her years at Northern she coached basketball, volleyball, and track and field, winning City Championships in all three sports. In honour of the positive influence Joan had on both intramural and extramural sports for female athletes in Toronto schools, when she retired in 1995, Northern Secondary renamed their top female athlete award “The Joan Atwood Grade 12 Female Athlete of the Year Award”.
While teaching in Toronto, Joan – aka “Digger” – went home each summer to play softball for the Senior Women’s Team in Fort Erie. This team had a very impressive record winning four Provincial Championships, one Canadian Championship and Silver Medals at the Pan Am Games in 1967.
Joan also enjoyed wilderness canoeing, kayaking and camping, as well as sailing, cottaging and badminton.
There will be an article about Joan’s life in the Sunday, September 4th edition of the Toronto Star. Please look at the section called “Together” and the column is called “Remembrance.”
Visitation and Funeral Service will be held at Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Ave West, Toronto (2 lights west of Yonge Street, additional parking available at Community Centre across the street).
The Funeral Service will take place at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto on Saturday August 27th at 1:00 pm with visitation beginning at noon. A reception will follow the Funeral Service and guests are invited to share their stories and memories of Joan at this reception.
Cremation has already taken place. At Joan’s request, interment will be at McAffee Cemetery in Fort Erie, Ontario in the Family Plot.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/87223647264
Meeting ID: 872 2364 7264
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,87223647264# US (Tacoma)
+13017158592,,87223647264# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 872 2364 7264
Find your local number: us02web.zoom.us/u/kepsy5JkLi
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joan Marie Atwood 2022..
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario