LAWLER, Joan Camilla - (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.
There will be a visitation at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre in Toronto on Saturday August 11 from 1-5 pm. A memorial service will be held in the UK at a later date. Joan’s ashes will be laid to rest close to her mother in Uckfield, Sussex.
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