After a brief illness, Joanie passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque, Ontario at the age of 88. Joan was predeceased by her husband Richard Southwood Chaffe. Loving mother to Richard Slater Chaffe of Trenton, Ontario, Sherwood James Chaffe and wife Robin Rene Chaffe of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Catharine Elizabeth Croce and husband Salvatore Croce of New York, New York. Beloved Grandmother to Erik James Chaffe and Jamison Crawford of Cedar Rapids, and Jack Croce and Luke Croce of New York.
Joan Chaffe was an accomplished homemaker, volunteer and animal activist; she held the highest levels of office for local, provincial and national organisations as well as her beloved Havergal College, Toronto, Ontario. Particular passions revolved around her volunteer work culminating in several published works, founding directives that were implemented provincially and personally being honoured by the Governor General of Canada for her contributions. Organisations close to her heart were May Court Club of Canada (Past- President), Volunteer Center of Ontario (Past- President), Ontario Association of Volunteer Bureaux and Centres (Past-President / Director), THOTA (Past-President), and The Human Animal Bond Association of Canada (Director). Joanie was also an effective Alumni of Trinity College, University of Toronto, Havergal College of Toronto and Ontario Ladies College (Trafalgar Castle School) of Whitby. She was a strong fundraiser and served on the Board of Directors for Havergal College and was President of The Havergal College Old Girls Association. Above all else, Joanie loved her family, especially her departed parents, Marg and Lloyd, and all of her cherished pets. To name just a few dogs: Donny, Bobby, Demon, Flame, Max, Stewart, Ming, Mai Tai, Torre and Vicki, River and Lake, Targa, Sea and Dude, Torre II, Andy, Goldie and finally beloved Princess. To name a few cats: Kitty Kitty, Georgie, Lynx, Mack, Thumbalina, Little Guy, Fat Cat, Hugo, Milo, Cassie, Batman and her precious Pumpkin.
Visitation will take place at Mount Lawn Funeral Home, 21 Garrard Rd., Whitby on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 10-11 am with a celebration of life in the chapel at 11 am. Interment at Mount Lawn Cemetery. Reception to follow.
Funeral Details
Visitation
Mount Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
Event Times:
16-Sep-2026 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Chapel Service
Mount Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
Event Times:
16-Sep-2026 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Interment
Mount Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
Event Times:
16-Sep-2026 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Reception
Mount Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery
Event Times:
16-Sep-2026 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
