With sadness we announce the passing of Joan Elizabeth Williams on May 15, 2025, one month shy of her ninety-ninth birthday, but we have great joy in knowing that she is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Joan was born on June 28, 1926, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the daughter of Walter Alfred Haughton of London, England, and Mary Hattie Lillian McNicol of Oakland, Manitoba. At the age of thirty-seven, Joan was predeceased by her husband, George Joseph Williams of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joan had an incredibly happy childhood, having both parents and her sister Donna living to ripe old ages. Joan began her career as a radiographer in Winnipeg. She always loved music, and as a young woman, she sang on her own half-hour radio segment. She even won the title of Miss Winnipeg! It was in Winnipeg where she met and married her husband, and together, they moved to Toronto to expand George's family business, the Creamette Macaroni Company of Minneapolis, and raise their family. They enjoyed their lives in The Kingsway neighbourhood. George's untimely death left Joan with four young children to raise on her own, a task she devoted herself to wholly and dutifully for the rest of her life. To each of her children, Jim Williams (deceased), Shane Williams, Patrick Williams (Donna Shipowick), and Michele Bell (Nicolas Bell), she was not only their mother, but their closest friend. From young widow, Joan grew into a venerated matriarch, and was blessed with seven grandchildren, Robert Williams (Deanna Rebellato), Sarah Williams Ball (Chris Ball), Katie Williams O'Connor (Dalton O'Connor), Malcolm Bell, Warren Williams (Kim Williams), Meagan Bell and Jason Williams. She developed a unique, personal, and impactful relationship with each of her grandchildren, always present in all their lives despite some living a great distance away. For her great-grandchildren, Maggie, Frank, Jackson, and Charlotte, a visit to see "Grandma Joan" was a joyous occasion. Every one of Joan's progeny brought her much joy and pride, and her dedication to them was unwavering. Her great influence on them shall continue beyond her passing. Joan was truly one of a kind, possessing a staggering combination of strength, beauty, intelligence, humour, curiosity, class, and social skills rarely found in a single person. The unwaning strength of character required to raise four children on her own should be a marvel to the modern parent. Joan didn't just cope with life when she lost her husband, inspired by her adventurous spirit, she packed up her four young children and moved them all to Italy for eighteen months. Her sharp wit, and gleeful willingness to participate in a joke left participants and onlookers of every stripe giggling wherever she went. An elite and willing conversationalist, Joan always listened with attention and empathy and generously responded with intelligence and insight gleaned from her varied experience. She travelled extensively and read widely, and could thereby cover subjects deeply, from finance, politics, and history to current events, culture, her Christian faith, or whatever you might be interested in. A fount of wisdom, she was often consulted by her family and friends for advice, which she gave freely and thoughtfully. She was a style maven, with a highly curated closet and a discerningly decorated home. She was a natural beauty, both outer and especially inner: deeply kind, compassionate, and genuine. Her generosity was cast widely, from those closest to her to those that never learned her name. She was much loved, and she loved much and will be missed by many. A Celebration of Joan's life will be held on Wednesday, May 28th, at 11:00 a.m. at Arkell Road Bible Chapel, 51 Arkell Road, Guelph, On. N1L 1G8 Refreshments will follow. Online condolences at www.koprivataylor.com