Joan Bissett NEIMAN

JOAN BISSETT NEIMAN Senator Joan Bissett Neiman passed away on November 27, 2022 at the age of 102 years. Born in Winnipeg, Joan was raised in Winnipeg and Pine Falls where her father practiced medicine. As a child she read all the books in her father's library and loved going with him to the wilds of Willard Lake. At 16, Joan headed east to Mount Allison university where she earned her degree in English. During World War II, Joan served in the Navy as a WREN at naval headquarters in Ottawa and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Joan then returned to school at Osgoode Hall, where she met her husband, Clem, and graduated as a lawyer. Clem and Joan practiced law together in the Toronto area for many years. Joan was deeply concerned about many social issues and worked in the areas of penal reform, women and indigenous rights and universal healthcare. In 1972, Joan was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Joan was very proud of her work in the Senate and served as Chair of both the Legal and Constitution committee and the special committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. She represented Canada within the Inter-Parliamentary Union and was appointed their Chair of Human Rights, the first Canadian to be so honored. After retiring Joan and Clem sold their longtime home in the Caledon Hills and eventually settled in the Horseshoe Valley where they made many friends and relaxed playing golf and bridge. Joan also continued her passionate work with Dying with Dignity and was a member of the Ontario Citizen's Panel on Increasing Organ Donations. Joan and Clem celebrated 66 years together and after his death in 2019 she relocated to Vancouver. Joan always had an amazing positive attitude. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Clem; and her daughter, Martha. She is survived by her three children, Dallis, Patti (Greg) and David (Patrice); as well as six grandchildren, Kiah, Dakota, Cedar, Madeleine, Katie and Alex; and two great-grandsons, Quentin and Caspian; who will all greatly miss her.