Joan Elsie Robertson (born Guthrie) passed away surrounded by her family at the Queensway
Carleton Hospital in Ottawa on December 7, 2024, at the age of 82. After a brief yet difficult
battle with bladder cancer that quickly spread, she left this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion.
Joan is survived by her devoted husband, John Burke Robertson, their children Jane, Brian and Heather, and her beloved grandchildren Hannah, Victor, Leo, and Eric.
She is also mourned byher identical twin sister, Ann Lillian Brown, and was predeceased by her parents, Ethel Guthrie (born Ayling) and Robert Haig Guthrie.
Born in Toronto at the Grace hospital, Joan grew up in East York, attending Blantyre Public
School, Malvern Collegiate Institute, and later, Victoria College at the University of Toronto.
There, she earned her bachelor’s degree and became a member of the Canadian Dietetic Association.
Her journey took her to Kingston and then to Ottawa, where she worked in social services.
It was in Ottawa that Joan met, and then married her husband on August 18, 1973.
Together they built a family, with Joan’s commitment to her loved ones at the heart of everything she did.
Joan’s greatest joy was being a wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She was known for her
kindness, resourcefulness, and gentle spirit. Her talents included baking (her lemon meringue pie, apple crisp, and baked goods were family favorites) and she had a deep interest in sewing, tailoring, science fiction, number puzzles especially sudoko, and gardening.
Joan’s quiet strength, selflessness, and caring nature touched the lives of all who knew her.
She will be dearly missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the family home on Sunday, December 22, 2024, to honor her memory and the warmth she brought to our lives.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joan’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society at
https://cancer.ca/en/.