Sigrid Joan Hamlin Tolmie

1938 - 2024

Sigrid Joan Hamlin Tolmie

June 29, 1938 - August 4, 2024

Davidson, North Carolina - We are sad to share that Sigrid Joan Hamlin Tolmie died on August 4 after a lengthy illness in her home at The Pines in Davidson, NC. Joan was born in Ottawa, Canada on June 29, 1938 to Dr. Howard and Sigrid Hamlin. She attended Glebe Collegiate Institute and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She graduated from the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing in Quebec, where she earned her RN degree.

In 1960, she married Dr. John Tolmie and accompanied him on 11 years of active duty with the U.S. Navy, living in Long Beach and China Lake, California, Haddonfield, NJ & Philadelphia Naval Hospital, Guam, and Camp LeJeune, NC. They particularly loved the island of Guam in Micronesia. They then settled in Winston-Salem, NC, where John went into the Naval Reserve & reached the rank of Rear Admiral, and practiced medicine at the Bowman Gray (Wake Forest University) School of Medicine. During this time, Joan served in many leadership roles, including President and Vice President, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County PTA during the integration of the public schools; President, Medical Center Guild; President of the Sandersted Women's Club; Board of Directors, The League of Women Voters; and Board of Directors, YWCA of Winston-Salem. In addition to raising three children, she went back to school and graduated from Salem College cum laude with majors in History and Sociology. Upon John's retirement, they created a new life on Lake Norman in Mooresville, NC. When he developed cancer, they moved to Davidson and in 2017, Joan became a resident at The Pines.

Joan was a force of nature, always wearing a gorgeous smile and harbouring a ready laugh. She was extraordinarily extraverted, naturally charming everyone she met. She had a thirst for knowledge and was endlessly curious. And she was a spectacular mother. Whether volunteering in the community, skiing at Beaver Creek or Christie Lake, attending book club or bridge club, or spending time with family and loved ones, she brightened the world for those around her. We love you, miss you and are better because of you!

She is survived by her children, Suzie Tolmie of Nashville, Kim Tolmie (Brad Kesel) of Atlanta, and Ian Tolmie (Jennifer Black) of Burien, Washington, her grandchildren, Hamlin (Scott) Ghee of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Ian and Raef Lawrence of Nashville, Wellsley, Madison, and Bryn Kesel of Atlanta, and Dodge and Duncan Tolmie of Burien Washington, great-grandsons Brooks and Beckham Ghee of Mt. Juliet, brothers Howie Hamlin (Faith Tomney), Bill Hamlin (Danae), and Geof Hamlin (Margaret).

She is also survived by her dear beau, John Van Order, who added tremendous joy to her life at The Pines. She is sadly predeceased by her grandson Dane Tolmie of Washington. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name, and in memory of Dane Duncan Tolmie, to:

John Aitchison, PhD., Co-Director.

Center for Global Infectious Disease Research.

Seattle Children's Research Institute.

307 Westlake Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98109.

Or, to donate online: https://give.seattlechildrens.org. Please direct donations to Other - Center for Global Infectious Disease Research.

A celebration of the special person that Joan was will be held at The Pines on Saturday, October 5 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 400 Avinger Lane (Davidson Room, 2nd floor), Davidson, NC 28036. Should you plan to attend, please RSVP to Suzie Tolmie at suztolmie@yahoo.com by September 7. Thank you!