1931 – 2013
Peacefully, in Victoria Hospice, on June 10 after a short illness. She is deeply mourned and missed, by John, her loving husband of 55 yrs., her sons Ross (Krystina), and Stuart (Natascha); her seven adored grand-children; her “little” brother Jim Watson (Beverley) of Nanoose Bay BC; all her much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families; and John’s relatives.
Born in Halifax NS, 13 July 1931, the eldest of three children (predeceased by brother Bob) of Robert M. and Dorothy F. Watson. She moved from city to city in Eastern Canada in keeping with her father’s career with CIL Explosives. Joan and her family first ventured to Western Canada in 1940, to Edmonton AB. There she attended Glenora Elementary, Westglen High (Class of ’49) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. The family moved to Montreal in 1949, where Joan graduated from McGill University (Arts ’52), cherishing her friends in Alpha Gamma Delta. She worked in Montreal, New York, and travelled Europe, before marrying John S. Walton on 12 April 1958.
Joan’s married life began in Montreal, where her two sons were born, then followed John’s career where she made homes in Fonthill ON, Montreal again, London (England), Rio de Janeiro, Calgary, Vancouver, and finally settling into retirement in Victoria. Aside from her family, she unreservedly treasured all the friends she made everywhere during her lifetime, with love, respect and admiration, and felt blessed in return. Social activities often centred on golf clubs, Royal Montreal, Gavea (Rio), Shaughnessy (Vanc.), Victoria Golf Club, The Lakes (Palm Desert, CA), where her friendships at each endured and flourished over time. Her quiet, genuine, accepting, and always helpfully competent way, touched all who knew her, whether in volunteer work, supporting her husband’s responsibilities, or as the family anchor.
Joan was special, so loved, so admired, and will be so missed.
A Memorial Service will be held in CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, Quadra at Courtney Streets, on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., the Very Reverend Dr. Logan McMenamie officiating. A Reception will follow at the Victoria Golf Club, 1110 Beach Drive.
Flowers are gratefully declined; tributes, if desired, may be made to the Victoria Hospice Foundation, 1510 Fort Street, Victoria, BC. V8S 5J2.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Margie Brown
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Murray and Corinne Coell Dear John and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. It was an honour to have known her. We have great memories of the Commonwealth Games, she was a wonderful Ambassador. You made a great team John. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
Murray and Corinne
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Darlene & Doug Potentier We were saddened by the passing of Joan. She was a lovely x, kind gracious person we remember with great fondness. Our times we spent together during the Commonwealth games gave us the opportunity to get to know her and it was easy to appreciate what a wonderful person she was.
She will be missed by all of us for sure but we know her family will feel a huge loss, hopefully all the happy memories you have made throughout her life will carry you through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Doug and Darlene Potentier
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Clint and Carole Forster We send our condolences to John and family. Joan was gracious and compassionate and will be missed by her many friends. Clint and Carole Forster
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Lynda and David Strong Dear John and Family,
David and I send you our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry not to be able to attend the service for Joan tomorrow. We remember her as a very kind and exceptional woman. I especially think of Jane Gosling, who I met through Joan. There was a shared Newfoundland history between us all., and Joan took such good care of Jane. Now they are both resting peacefully with the angels in heaven. Love and warmest regards, Lynda
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Alan and Marguerite Lawson Hello – we want you to know just how sorry we both are in the loss of your wonderful wife, Joan. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Hello –
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Roy and Ginnie Tucker It takes a special team….one to grow the product …. one to present the product…We will forever remember the lovely gift and presentation of John’s home grown garlic Joan presented to us at our dinner party……a fond memory….
cheers Roy and Ginnie Tucker
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lise and jean-claude garneau Bon courage
Bien sicerementLISE et JEAN-CLAUDE
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lise and jean-claude garneau Avec beaucoup de tristesse que nous avons appris le déces subit
de ton épouse JOAN,nous sympatisons beaucoup avec toi,et
garderons le souvenir de JOAN comme étant une charmante
personne avec laquelle tu formait un tres beau couple.
Moi LISE,je pense au beau et unique moment que nous avons
partagé ensemble.Cetait a QUÉBEC lors de la derniere réunion.
Nous avons marché ensemble du resto a l hotel.Jelui ai offert
mon bras,nous étions comme de bonne vieille amie.
Nousne pouvons que te souhaiterd etre bien entouré de ta famille
et de bons amis.Tu dois surement en avoir beaucoup.
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Terry and Leslie Farmer John, Ross, Stuart and families
Our deepest sympathy to you all. Joan was such a delightful lady, and she was a lady !! She was extremely friendly,caring, delightful and a wonderful person to know.
John, Leslie and I were on the Rocky Mountaineer with Deedrie and Rob Hunter etc. and we were all shocked and sad with your news.
Leslie and I are going to be out of town for the Service and we do apologize.Hope to see you soon
Terry and Leslie Farmer
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Roger and Sally Hemeon Dear John – Roger and I are so sorry that Joan has passed away. She was a very special lady and will be missed by many. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If either of us can be of help in any way, please do let us know. With love from us both, Roger and Sally
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Dianne and Al Marks John,
It was a shock to read about your dear Joan’s death in the TC this morning.
Joan loved life and we have many fond memories of our time in Rio.
She welcomed us when we moved to Calgary and then we all found our way to Victoria.Joan had a way of making everyone around her, feel special. She was one proud mom and grandmother, too.
John, we send you our love and prayers at this time. You were a most awesome couple.
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Bill Avery Thinking of you, John, in your time of sadness.
Bill
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Renzo Orlando John,
Please accept our deepest simpathies on the loss of Joan.
We only found out today via Bill Avery who read it in the Globe and Mail.
Renzo and Talia
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Barbara Gaspers Dear John,
We will surely miss Joan’s smiling sparkely eyes. She was such a pleasure to be around. She was so stimulating and intelligent. It was fun to talk to her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,Joe and Barbara Gaspers
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Sandra Gibbs Dear John, Ross, Stuart and families,
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Joan’s passing, I haven’t know Joan long, but she had a loving quiet way about her, always so gracious. Ted and I always looked forward to our visits to Victoria and Palm Spring. Good laughs, good times.
Deepest condolences.
Sandy Gibbs
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Joan Sutherland Morrison My deepest sympathy to the Walton family in your loss of Joan. We were good school friends and neighbours during Joan’s time in Edmonton.
Regards,
Joan Sutherland Dakin Morrison
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Frank Farmer John, I saw the notice in the Vancouver Sun, and called Phyllis about it. We both wish to convey our condolences to you.
Phyllis is still in Orangeville (same address) but has macular degeneration so has trouble reading. She mentioned (and is appreciative of) getting Xmas cards from you. She also said that she and Vivien were at your wedding!
Best wishes to you and your family.– Frank Farmer
Vancouver BC
(formerly of Chicoutimi QC)
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Ross (Buck) Orr John, Stuart and Ross,
Our sincere condolences on Joan’s passing. I remember fondly the party the two of you threw for Marilyn, my wife, and me in Calgary for our upcoming wedding. I remember my friends saying it was going to be tough for the wedding to top the party. Joan was always a positive person and I recall her willingness to help.
Cheers,
Buck Orr
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Lucy & Lawrie Jackson To John, Ross , Stuart and the family condolences from Lucy, Lawrie and the family in Guelph. Our friendship for Joan and John goes back to undergraduate days at McGill and after in Montreal.
We have so many fond memories of Joan and her ever present smile.
Love Lucy and Lawrie
If you knew Patricia “Joan” Walton,who died in 2013, I wonder if you also knew Roger and Sally Hemeon? I am trying to find a contact address for the latter, whom my husband, Ian Brown, and I visited in the early 1980’s. Ian is Sally’s cousin on the Pollard side.
Could you send me a message to margiebrown.brown@gmail.com.
I’d be very grateful.
Thank you, Margie Brown.