It is with heavy hearts that we announce Joan's passing on July 7, 2018 at the age of at the age of 88. Joan is survived by her husband Donald and son David (Patricia) and grandsons, Eric and Kenneth and close family friends Deborah and Reg Coates. She was pre-deceased by a son Brian, her parents, Dr. Aldrich and Irene Dales, and brother Lowell.
Joan was born in Newmarket and attended elementary and secondary schools in Iroquois Falls, where the family lived. She received her degree and teaching certificate at the University of Toronto and post graduate degrees at Queens and Niagara (USA). She was a physical education specialist and began her teaching career at the Iroquois Falls Secondary School in 1951. In 1957, Joan, Don and son Brian moved to North Bay, where she began teaching at Algonquin Composite School. When Widdifield's new Secondary school was built, she was hired as head of girls Physical Education. Her volleyball and gymnastics teams won many awards. She also occasionally taught at the Ontario girl's leadership camp at Lake Couchiching. A large step in her career was her appointment as Vice Principal at Widdifield Secondary. This appointment was especially welcomed by the teen age girls, who could easily confide in her. She was a role model to thousands of students and others during her career.
After a number of years, she was transferred to Chippewa Secondary as Vice Principal, and 1987 she was appointed as Principal. At that time she was one of only a few women in Ontario to be appointed as a principal of a secondary school. Joan often talked of the support that she received from her family, the teachers, and all of the principals, vice principals, superintendents and in particular, the support of Bob Lynch, the Director of Education.
Joan was also very active in support of her community having served on many boards including those of Canadore College and North Bay General Hospital. Special thanks to the wonderful health care providers at Cassellholme.
Family will receive friends at the MARTYN FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Andrews United Church on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will take place following the service and a private burial will take place at a later date in the family plot at Terrace Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nipissing Serenity Hospice or the Nipissing University Euler Scholarship Fund.