Joan Edith Roberts

November 12, 1935 – February 4, 2025

Joan passed peacefully on February 4th in her home at Amica, with her beloved Bud by her side. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, (Bud)Charles Freeman Roberts, her children Kathryn Roberts (John Doran), Joanne Roberts (Paul Chamberland), her five grandchildren, Bryn, Christopher and Cyra Humber, Judith and Philip Lajoie and her great grand-daughter Ceclia Humber. She is also survived by her sisters with whom she was very close; Patricia Brody (the late Peter Brody) and Margeret Pepper (Earland Pepper) and much-loved nieces and nephews: Deborah, Andrea, Michelle, Robert, Jennifer and Karen. Also, Paul and Jane Kyte. She will be fondly remembered by Sylvia and Keri Humber.

Joan is predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Mabel Orser.

Joan will be remembered as a loving mother who was devoted to and took great pride in her family. She spent many happy hours skiing and cottaging with her family and friends and took great pleasure in watching her grandchildren grow. She delighted in spending time with old friends, some dating from school days. She was persistently cheerful even when confined to a wheelchair in her later years.

Joan and her two sisters followed in their mother’s footsteps, graduating from McGIll University to then teach Physed. Before going to university Joan was a popular young N.D.G. swimmer who was Canadian synchronized swimming champion in 1950 and 1951 and who swam at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952 when synchronized swimming was the exhibition sport. Joan was inducted in the McGill Hall of fame in 2000 in recognition of her accomplishments. Joan volunteered for Synchro Canada for many years and served as President of the Board for her final year there.

The family would like to express deep thanks to all of the staff at the Amica Bayview Village residence for their outstanding compassionate care.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held Friday April 18th, 2025 at the Kane-Jarrett Funeral Home – North York Chapel, 6191 Yonge Street. Visitation will begin at 13:00, and the celebration will take place at 14:00. Family and friends are invited for a memorial gathering following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Joan’s memory to Covenant House or the ALS foundation, two causes that were important to Joan.