In memory of

Joan Camilla Lawler

February 13, 1927 - August 3, 2018

Joan was born in Montreal but lived most of her life in England, after marrying her first husband John Graves. She is survived by her four daughters Diana, Patricia, Gillian and Suzanne, and her stepson Anthony from her marrriage to Lawrence Lawler, who predeceased her in 2002. Joan moved back to Canada in 2003. Joan has nine grandchildren: Simon, Michael, and Matthew Cross; Camilla and Stephen Burkot; Emily Cumming; and Michael, Usheen and Hannah Graves; and five great grandchildren: Jyothi, Anya, Ivy, Heather and Arthur, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother Donald Barwick.

Joan was a talented artist and crafts person who always had arts projects on the go. She painted beautiful pictures of her beloved grandchildren and knitted countless sweaters and bedspreads for family members from her own hand spun wool. In her fifties she opened a hand spinning business, shipping to customers all around the world. Many of those customers later became her friends after dropping in unexpectedly at her home in a small Derbyshire village.

Joan was, of course, also an outspoken, unfiltered and fiercely independent spirit. Despite her advanced dementia she never lost her determination or her irreverent sense of humour. At times when her life force seemed to fade, she would bounce back with resilience and a remarkable strength of will. Even when Joan was no longer able to convey her thoughts and opinions in words, her energy filled the room.

We are so grateful for the kind and loving care Joan received from so many people, including most recently her caregivers Zeny and Runa, as well as Angel, Lilibeth, Sean, Luchel and countless others. We thank all the dedicated staff at Circle of Care, Sprint and Seniors Housecall Service, especially Dr Heineck, who made it possible for her to stay in her own home until the end.

Visitation at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre was held in Toronto on Saturday August 11, 2018.

Joan's ashes will be laid to rest next to her mother on Saturday February 9, 2019 at Holy Cross Church, Uckfield, Sussex, UK. www.churchoftheholycrossuckfield.co.uk. A graveside service at 2:00 pm will be followed by a reception at the Uckfield Civic Centre. www.civiccentreuckfield.com

Guestbook

(5 of 12)

Angel Lacorte (Former caregiver)

Entered August 5, 2018 from North York

May Joan Rest in Peace and Bless her soul.

Rafat Arshad (Friendship through Suzanne)

Entered August 7, 2018 from Chester, UK

On every visit, Joan cooked the most delicious food. Her Christmas handcrafted gifts were worn until threadbare and then I would attempt to darn the slippers to elongate their life!
She was definitely a sassy character way ahead of her time- thank you for being in my life Joan and Suzanne
Rafat

suzanne harrington (friend of family)

Entered August 7, 2018 from toronto

Very sorry to hear of your mom's passing, Suzanne. May you and your family find solace in the knowledge that she was well loved, well cared for, and able to stay in her own home until the end of her days. May your family find comfort in knowing she is at peace.

Suzann Thompson (friend)

Entered August 8, 2018 from Dublin, Texas

I met Joan through the Hallamshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, in Sheffield, England. We connected because, as she said, we were "fellow North Americans," and I'm about the age of her daughters. She took my family under her wing, inviting us to visit her home in Buxton. Today, we would say, "Moms gonna mom."

Joan told us that after her daughters were grown, she wanted to change their relationship from parent-child to adult-adult. As a result, her daughters called her Joan instead of Mom or Mother. I floated this idea to my own daughters, with hilarious and interesting results. In short, they rejected the idea of calling me Suzann. But I thank Joan for making me think about how relationships between parents and children can evolve in a positive, mature way.

Camilla Burkot (Granddaughter)

Entered August 8, 2018 from Daru, Papua New Guinea

Though the times that my brother Stephen and I were able to visit Joan when we were growing up were always too few and far between, looking back they were always warm and positive memories - whether doing painting and craft activities, going for walks and visiting local attractions around Buxton, baking... she made those short times sweet.
And even as her ability to communicate faded late in her life, her spirit remained very much present - she defied expectations in so many ways! I'm proud to be related to such a strong, creative, and fiercely independent woman.