Joan Patricia Ridout

Peacefully on Wednesday November 2 (All Soul's Day) at Toronto East General Hospital at 96 and 10 months, six months short of her father's record long life. Daughter of Herald and Rose Pape, "Little" sister of Mary (deceased). What started as a double date with John Stirling Ridout at 16 extended into a loving partnership of 60 years until his death in 2003. In their youth they were campers at "Couch" and members of the AYPA, and would spend hours on the tennis court at St. David's Church. Beloved Mom of "pegilynngaryross" AKA Pegi, Lynn, Gary and Lori, and Ross and Mahnaz. Devoted and loving Gramma to Nicole, Farbod and Becky, Janet and Dustin, Michelle and Mike, Danielle and Albert, Paul, Chris, Ladan, Renee, and Thomas. Great Gramma to Luca and Julia. Mom was a child of the Depression and left school at 16 to go to work to earn money. She couldn't master shorthand so went into the accounting field as a bookkeeper. Worked at Steele Briggs Seed, Meccano and Canadian Press until her marriage. As she emphasized in some of her last words to us, Education was important to her. While raising four young kids she trekked across the city by subway to attend night school to finish high school and get her certificate. After the kids were attending school full time she went back to work at Ontario Education Association and for many years at the AGO in the Membership Department. Mom was continually learning. She read the paper and did the crossword faithfully. She was a member of a Speech Arts Club and spoke well and comfortably in front of people. Her everyday penmanship was a thing of beauty always. Faithful parishioner at St. Columba Church and long-time president of the Chancel Guild and ACW. Always an "East Ender", she lived on Sammon, the Danforth and for 70 years was a resident of Parkview Hills. For a time while we were at Presteign Heights School she was the President of the Home and School Association. Long-serving volunteer at True Davidson Meals on Wheels. She was a mermaid and loved the water and swam every day during the summer and even managed a few times this year. She also loved: the colour red, every dog that she ever met, chocolate, the sunshine on her body, going to the theatre, doing puzzles, watching hockey and baseball, Glenn Miller's Band, "Bolero", travelling the world (5 continents). We will miss her "hugs and kisses" and her cards and letters SWAK and her little poems for all occasions. She walked every day and in the last few weeks was marvelling at the wonderful colours of the leaves and how each one was different. Although Mom loved flowers, she would prefer that you consider a donation to Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), True Davidson Meals on Wheels or the East York Foundation. Please join us with your memories of our Mom at an informal gathering and lunch on Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 am at Giffen-Mack & Trull Funeral Home at 2570 Danforth Avenue, Toronto. Mom always said that even though she was born in the winter she hated it. Guess she couldn't face another one. LOVE YA MOM! XOXO!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.giffenmackdanforth.com for the Ridout family.