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Joan Clow Obituary

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Joan Clow

Brockville, ON

March 13, 1934 - February 27, 2016

Joan Clow Obituary

CLOW, Winnifred Joan - Suddenly at Kingston General Hospital, Winnifred Joan (Hutchinson) Clow , entered into rest on Saturday, February 27th. She was 81. Born on March 13, 1934 in Oak Lake, Manitoba, Joan was the third of five daughters of the late Canon John L. Hutchinson and the former Winnifred Bennion. The family settled in Brockville, Ontario when her father became rector of St. Peter's Anglican Church (now known as St. Lawrence Anglican Church) in 1947. The church has always played a major role in her life. Joan married Harold Clow at St. Peter's on October 30, 1951, and they had six children, all of whom were baptized and confirmed there. Daughter Peggy and son Peter were also married at St. Peter's. She was a regular churchgoer, an avid leader of the Anglican Church Women's group and a member of the Parish Council several times over the past 68 years. A dedicated homemaker and cook, Joan also spent countless hours baking and sewing items for various fund raisers and was always available to provide a helping hand when called upon. She even sewed daughter Peggy's wedding dress. Very athletic as a young woman, Joan was a star basketball player at BCI, where she graduated at the top of her academic class and became second in command of the student-cadet corps. After her marriage, Joan put her academic career on hold to stay at home to raise her children. She thoroughly enjoyed her role as a mother and confidant, ensuring they were loved and supported in all their activities. She spent many hours attending and organizing local events, especially in the sports arena. Joan could often be heard cheering on one of her sons on the football and baseball fields or in the hockey arena, or one of her daughters on the volleyball court or at a musical recital or play. She became the first female president of the Brockville Minor Hockey Association and was the convenor of Legion Little League Baseball in town for several seasons. Once her children were raised, Joan took a series of jobs with the Leeds and Grenville County Board of Education and eventually retired as the Head Secretary at BCI. She recently received a commemorative painting from BCI for all her time and efforts on behalf of the school as a student, parent volunteer and dedicated employee. She was an active player in the Brockville Duplicate Bridge Club, achieving Life Master status as a player and later became the Club Manager. Playing and organizing bridge events was one of her passions. A world traveler, one of her biggest thrills was obtaining all the hockey players' autographs from Team Canada while staying in the same hotel in Moscow, Russia in September of 1972. Joan enjoyed many cruises and was recently thrilled with her North American 'Amazing Race' vacation she completed for her 80th birthday. Accompanied by her younger sister Marilyn, this unique 19 day event was arranged by her children, covering 11,050 miles of travel and nine distinct destinations. Her last formal trip included a visit to Banff, AB his past September to attend and participate in the wedding of her granddaughter Brittany, with whom she had a close, letter writing relationship. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her elder daughter Lezlie in July 1979, sisters Elena Wilson and Marjorie (in childhood), and just earlier this month by her estranged husband Harold. She is survived by son David in Toronto; son Bruce (wife Susan) in Pukekohe, N.Z.; daughter Margaret (a.k.a Peggy) in Concord, NC; son Peter (wife Heather) in Red Deer, AB; and son Gordon in White City, SK. Also survived by sister Barbara Johnson (husband Eric) of Brockville and sister Marilyn Kalbfleisch (husband Ed) of Orillia. She will also be dearly missed by 13 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and 9 nieces and nephews. The cremation and funeral arrangements are being entrusted to Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, James St. East in Brockville. Visitation with her family will be held there on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 6 - 8pm. A memorial service celebrating Joan's life will then be held at St. Lawrence Anglican Church on Saturday, March 5, 2015 at 11am. The interment will be a private family affair held at a later date. Memorial donations to St. Lawrence Anglican Church or a charity of your choice will be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

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Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Joan Clow.