It is with heartbreak and shock that the family of Joan Russell announces the devastating loss of their beloved Mama Joan from a tragic car accident in Quebec on September 22, 2023. She will be joining the love of her life Lyn Parker (May 3, 1948 – June 22, 2021). She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her daughters Tara Russell (Justin), Lori Russell and son Jason Russell (Cathy), stepdaughter Kyla Parker (Jeff) and stepson Ryan Parker. Grandma Joan will always be in the hearts of her beautiful grandchildren, who adored and loved her so much: Keegan, Hudson, Miller, Tilly, McKinley, Elijah and Neveah. Joan will be fondly remembered by her dear friends, Linda Garbutt, Marina Garbutt and Beth Carter, along with numerous other family members and friends.

Joan was born in Sudbury Ontario, where she and her brother Len Saulnier were raised by their loving parents Joseph Alvida Saulnier (deceased) and Mabel Elizabeth (Betty) Smith (deceased). She moved to Oshawa in 1978 where she raised her three children and created amazing memories with the many families from Lanark Dr. Joan dedicated her life to raising her family and teaching at many elementary schools in Oshawa. Joan loved sharing her love for reading with her students and to this day is still giving out children's books she has collected over the years.

Mama Joan loved life more than anyone we knew and lived each day on earth to the fullest. Joan and Lyn loved each other for 24 years and built a beautiful life together. Apart from loving cottage life on Georgian Bay, another passion Joan had was travelling. Joan and Lyn experienced many parts of the world by taking cruises, travelling Europe, and embarking on road trips across the United States. They were always seeking out new adventures wherever they landed. They also loved finding treasures and many years were spent antiquing and finding the perfect pieces.

Nothing made her happier than having a great conversation, especially if that conversation was about genealogy, current events, and planning adventures with her children and grandchildren. All of her family will forever cherish all of the wonderful conversations they had with her. In most recent years, most of her time was spent cheering her grandchildren on from the side of a baseball or soccer field or hockey rink – it brought her pure joy to see them excelling at the sports they loved.

Mama Joan was a beautiful soul, with many unique interests and she was just an amazing person. She included everyone, talked to everyone, and found beauty in everything. She loved her art, her jewellery, her treasures, and she was always ready for the next great adventure. She had one of the most contagious laughs you ever heard - and you heard her laugh often.

We will love you and miss you forever Mama Joan - you will never leave our hearts.

A celebration of Joan’s life is planned for Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at the Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery, 72 Queen St, Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z3. A formal celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by a drop in celebration/visitation at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 1200 Thornton Rd North, Oshawa.

Donations will be gratefully accepted to the “Joan Russell and Lynn Parker Award”, to support Indigenous students in the skilled trades at Durham College. The award was originally established by Joan and family to honour the legacy of Lynn Parker and the family re-established the award to honour both Joan and Lynn and their lifetime of love and giving.
To make a donation, please copy the below link into a new browser window:
https://ssp.mycampus.ca/apex/f?p=320:50
(Under Designation, please select other and enter “Joan Russell”).