Elizabeth Joan Chambers

She was preceded in death by her parents, Almer and Evelyn (MacDonald) Borrowman; and her husband, Benjamin Chambers. Joan is survived by her children, Benjamin (Mary), Julia (Donald), Elizabeth Becky (Todd), Alexander (Jennifer); her grandchildren, Ellen, Kate, Kelly, Nolan, Avery, Ellis and Isla; her sister, Ann Fleet; and her two nephews: Brad (Tina) and Bill.

Joan was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario. In her early teens, she spent her summers at Camp Tanamakoon in Algonquin Park, where she practiced oil painting, and canoeing; cemented her love of the northern wilderness that she would hold close throughout her life. Joan graduated high school in Sarnia, and then attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she was a member of the school’s synchronized swimming team while studying interior design. This ultimately earned her the prestigious American Society of Interior Design accreditation. Upon returning home after graduation, she met Ben Chambers in Port Huron. Ben and Joan started dating, fell in love, and were married in 1961. They lived in Redford, Michigan, where they raised their four children. In 1973, the Chambers family moved to their new home on Bogie Lake in White Lake, Michigan. Joan loved living on the lake; she could often be found taking early morning canoe trips. Joan was an Interior Designer, and throughout her career was awarded with prestigious design awards at Scott Shuptrine Furniture. Joan enjoyed a very successful career until her retirement in 1997. Joan proudly became an American citizen in 2000. In retirement she returned to her love of oil painting, and not surprisingly painted many beautiful vistas of the outdoors. Joan loved cats, and you’d often find hers snoozing on her lap as she painted. Together, Joan and Ben built a family summer cottage in northern Michigan, on the shores of Lake Huron in the Straits of Mackinac to enjoy in their retirement. She spent as much time as she could there, painting and working on various woodworking projects. Joan and Ben divided their time between both homes for the rest of their lives.

Joan was a soft-spoken artist and designer, she was also warm and welcoming of friends, who often became part of our family. She loved laughing and instilled etiquette and the importance of kindness in her children. She was a small person with a huge heart that contained an unquenchable desire to live a decent and admirable life. All who knew Joan loved her and she will be dearly missed by us all.

There will be a private cemetery service for Joan’s immediate family.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to donate to The Medical Team Hospice in Flint, or the American Cancer Society.