Passed away peacefully in her 90th year. Her first husband Robert (Bob) Gilchrist predeceased her in 1963; and her second husband Ted (TJ) O’Rourke passed in 1999. Loving Mother to Jeff (Nadine) and Gerry as well as “Grandma” to Julie Anne, Connor, Laura Jean, Craig, Jeremy and Bryce.
Joan was a fighter who overcame life’s challenges thrown at her including surviving a severe car accident at the age of 12, and becoming a widow in the early 1960’s with two very young sons. She gave “her boys” opportunities including spending summers on Lake Simcoe, learning to ski, and attending post secondary education...all on a single income. Joan loved taking her Toronto based grandsons out to dinner at Red Lobster and KFC. She also cherished spending time with her Calgary based grandchildren at their ski chalet in Fernie B.C.
Visitation will be held at R.S. Kane Funeral Home, (6150 Yonge St, Toronto), on Wednesday Nov 1, 2017 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St Gabriel’s Passionist Parish (670 Sheppard Ave. E. North York). Reception to follow.
