Joan Elizabeth BARTON

JOAN ELIZABETH BARTON (née LAMBRICK) Turned the world on with her smile Our mom, Joan, passed away peacefully, at North York General Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, on July 8, 2023, at the age of 88. Her unshakeable smile and grace, in spite of serious medical issues in recent years, showed her courage in facing life's challenges. Joan was the eldest daughter of Tommy and Tilly Lambrick (née Quinlan) raised in Orillia, Ontario. Joan is survived by her sisters, Pauline Armstrong and Linda Harvey, and was predeceased by her brothers, Tom and Bob Lambrick. After graduating from Orillia District Collegiate with honours, Joan moved to Rosary Hall in Toronto, becoming a teacher to put herself through the University of Western Ontario. While at Western, she met her husband, Donald Barton. Don's steadfast love and heartfelt gestures throughout their courtship distinguished him from the competition. They married in August, 1959, and were best friends and the loves of each other's lives even beyond his death in 2018. Joan was a warm and caring mom to Cheryl, Nancy (Dean) and Lisa (Paul), and grandma to Quinlan (Matt), Will, Evan, Tim and Sara. Joan and Don hosted innumerable family events and vacations, watched their loved ones' sporting events and always loved hearing about their adventures and accomplishments. Beneath her affable demeanour, Joan had a sharp intellect and strategic mind that she brought to all her endeavours, demonstrated by her passion for bridge, the stock market, and travel research. Joan was an active member of the Toronto Cricket Club for more than 50 years, particularly in the Curling and Bridge sections. She was a member of three separate bridge groups and spent the last dozen years playing competitive duplicate bridge at the Cricket Club. She was proud of her Masterpoints and delighted when she made it onto the weekly leaderboard! She taught herself the stock market in her mid-50s, combining her own thoughts on economic indicators with advice from business experts to build her own investment portfolio with impressive results. She remained passionate and engaged with the economy and politics throughout her life. Joan and Don travelled extensively by themselves, and with friends, on trips connected to the Canada Life sales conventions, on Oceania cruises and in Sarasota later in life. Joan was the consummate trip researcher and Don did the driving. She read her way through the Markham Village library and always had a stack of mystery novels by her bedside. Joan had a passionate affair with chocolate ice cream and was famous for her delicious iced banana cake. Many thanks and appreciation go to Mom's caregivers, Emma and Nancy, the staff at Amica Bayview Gardens, Dr. Wyman, Dr. Abdalian, Dr. Grossman and the nurses at North York General Hospital for their attention and compassion. Joan's beautiful smile was remarked upon by all who met her and its warmth will be much missed. A service celebrating Joan's life will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville). A Mass will be held at a later date at St. Gabriel's Church open to anyone who knew Joan and would find it meaningful to attend. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel 416-487-4523