Joan Calder

Passed away peacefully on Monday, August 30, 2021, at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre - Barrie. She leaves behind her three beloved children, Corinne, Brent, and Chris. Joan often spoke with much love about her late granddaughter, Carleigh, and her three living grandchildren, Taylor, Camille, and Emma. Also, her brother Don, his daughter Rachel, and her many other nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all her family and numerous friends from many walks of life. Joan was married to her (late) husband, John Calder, for 46 years. They shared an abiding passion for all dogs, and together they successfully raised and showed Labradors for many decades. Joan grew up on a dairy farm which instilled a love of all animals, from livestock and pets to wildlife. She was well known as a premier breeder of exceptional Labrador Retrievers under the Amaranth prefix. Her many dog-show friends will recall Joan's unwavering sportsmanship and her brightly coloured outfits, but, most of all, she is remembered for her warm personality, ready smile, quick wit, and great sense of humour. Joan had an exceptional willingness to support competitors just beginning in the field. Joan made countless enduring friendships within the purebred dog community along with the owners of her Labradors. She was a wonderfully down-to-earth resource for many people over the decades. Joan also nurtured and stayed in touch with several young people who had their first jobs working at Amaranth kennels. She was an engaged person and a wise confidante with great intuition. Essentially private, Joan could also always be counted on to keep any confidence. Joan was well-informed and had a keen interest in current affairs, international relations, and politics. She loved travelling, was an avid reader, and enjoyed the movies and a good restaurant meal, but, most of all, she liked to connect with people, regardless of age, culture, race, or religion. Joan was frank and honest with her voice and intensely disliked all forms of platitudes, but she was also open-minded and fundamentally kindhearted. Until the very end, Joan thought of others before herself, showing deep consideration for everybody who visited her and for those who tried to call during her last days of life. Her last shared thoughts included a sincere and profound concern for all her children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be appreciated.

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