Nov 26, 1946 - Apr 18, 2026
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Joan Elizabeth Booth Roberts on April
18, 2026.
Joan and her husband, Robert (Bob) Roberts, shared an abiding love and partnership
for more than 50 years. She missed him deeply after his passing in 2018, and the hope
that they would be together again brought her comfort in her final hours.
Joan leaves behind her three daughters, Lynne, Nancy, and Catherine, along with their
partners, Don, Ben, and Frank. She was a devoted and loving mother, deeply invested
in her daughters’ lives, offering guidance and strength throughout the years.
Some of her family’s most treasured memories are of Joan as both a mother and
grandmother, roles she held close to her heart. She took great joy in caring for and
spoiling her grandchildren, Sydney, Rylan, Finlay, Nathan, Henry, and Ella, and had a
remarkable ability to connect with each of them. She and Bob found great happiness in
their retirement years in Saint-Anicet, where they loved hosting family and friends and
spending long days on the water.
Joan was born and raised in Valleyfield, Quebec, to her parents, Alice and James
Booth. She cherished their memory throughout her life, as well as those of her siblings,
Mary, James, Alex, and John. As the youngest in her family, she became an aunt at a
young age and remained a caring and supportive presence to her many nieces and
nephews, sharing a particularly close bond with her nieces Karina and Tammy.
Joan had lifelong friendships that meant the world to her, many of which began during
her years at Gault School. She shared a remarkable bond with her dear friend Shirley
Shankland, whose friendship spanned more than 70 years and was filled with laughter
and loyalty. Brian and the late Margaret Hawthorne were like family, their lives closely
intertwined over the years as neighbours and godparents. She shared a close and
lasting friendship with Bob’s cousin Peggy, which meant a great deal to her. Even in her
later years in Ottawa, Joan continued to build meaningful connections and stay actively
engaged in her community.
Joan loved to travel and embraced new experiences throughout her life. Her intelligence
and keen sense of observation meant she was almost always right, something her
family came to both rely on and smile about. She approached everything with
determination and curiosity, whether solving a crossword or working through a knitting
pattern, often finding creative solutions along the way. She was a skilled knitter and
crocheter, creating beautiful pieces with remarkable ease and pride.
At Joan’s request, there will be no funeral service. One way to honour her memory is to
connect with someone you care about and remind them how much they mean to you.
While her passing leaves deep sadness for her family, they take comfort in knowing she
passed peacefully, surrounded by people she loved. Joan will be remembered alwaysfor the life she built, the family and friends she cherished, and the quiet strength and
care she gave so freely.


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