Obituary of Joan Davis

Joan Davis Peacefully at the Dearness Home on Friday, September 30, 2016, Joan (nee: Shortall) Davis of London and formerly of St. John’s, Newfoundland, passed away at the age of 89 years. Beloved wife of the late Harry (007) Davis (April 3, 2016). Dear mother of the late Wayne Davis (2007), Sharron (Guy) Beliveau, Gail (Casey) Hoevenaars, Craig (Paddy) Davis and Shelley (Bob Hurlbut) Davis. Greatly loved by 18 wonderful grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Dear sister of Cynthia Murphy of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Loved by her daughter-in-law Donna Davis (Heffernan). Forever in the hearts of many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. At Joan’s request there will be no visitation. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at St. Justin’s Parish, 855 Jalna Blvd, London, ON N6E 2S2 on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11:00 am with Father Mark Poulin celebrating mass, followed by a reception. Cremation has taken place. Any donations to the Alzheimer Society, London … Middlesex Chapter, 435 Windermere Rd, London, ON N5X 2T1 or donated through www.alzheimerlondon.ca will be gratefully acknowledged. On-line condolences and donations to the Alzheimer Society London … Middlesex Chapter are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca. McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth 519-652-2020 in care of arrangements. We know that Joan and Harry are together now extending sincere wishes back to all of us in unison, with that old Newfy saying “Long may your big jib draw!”. The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of the Dearness Home for their compassion and loving care. JOAN DAVIS … Eulogy Funeral Service … Oct. 7, 2016 Apr 26, 1927 - Sept. 30, 2016 Before I start the main message, I want to say that everyone here has close family members, and friends, that have passed before, and each of them are uppermost in our minds. The memories of love that they represent for you, are the foundations that help us bring family and community to this celebration today. We know they are all present with us, and THAT LOVE is deeply felt. Joan Davis … kind, generous, full of life, talented, supportive, empathetic, creative, loving. Individual traits that others have listed to begin to describe the vibrant person she was. I would add others to the list – independent, strong, & feisty would be a couple. After battling Alzheimer’s for about 12 years, kind & feisty were 2 attributes that still shone through. Although, in the last few years, she was unable to communicate for the most part – an “I love you too” – or a “No, don’t” were phrases she was still able to muster clearly when those feelings moved her. Armed with that strength of spirit, she was able to rob the Alzheimer’s from taking her fully. And with that strong spirit, she gave respect and gained respect, to the end. As a result, the wonderful Dearness Home staff admired her for those traits, and loved to care for her. Our whole family, including Dad, thank the Dearness Staff deeply for that! JOAN DAVIS … and her middle name? Nope – just Joan – and like parents everywhere, she wanted more for her children, than she had growing up. And so, all 5 children were given more than one name – Richard Wayne, Sharron Ann, Cecilia Gail, Michael Arthur Craig, and Mary Shelley Yvonne. Notice the more children she had, the more names she gave us. And she made sure to order the names so they sounded better sliding off the tongue. Not Shelley Mary Yvonne – that didn’t flow – Mary Shelley Yvonne – ah yes, more musical, more lyrical. As Dad’s job at the CNR resulted in the family moving from St John’s, to Montreal, to Toronto (having us 5 kids along the way), the ultimate move to London in the early 60’s was where the deep permanent roots would grow. Mom was always the hard-working home-maker that made each house, our home. And as a very creative person, the house was always her canvas – painting walls and furniture in very creative ways – Antiquing furniture – making flower arrangements and – making curtains – dresses – crocheting – and constantly wallpapering– not just walls – but drawers and shelves and cupboard walls – and usually with music playing in the background. She loved going to Lake Huron regularly to their trailer where they would have singsongs every night around the campfire with neighbours. And like all parents, loved to trek all over to watch us kids in all the activities that they encouraged us to do. As we grew up in London, Mom could eventually re-enter the work force – and took a job at the 3M factory working humungous machines that sliced the massive rolls of tape into the package sizes that ended up on store shelves. But, not being used to getting up at 5:30am, and generally needing several cups of tea before she was really awake – there were a couple of instances where she arrived at 3M – with coworkers asking if she knew that her dress was on backwards – that’s right – darts to the back. And yes she loved her music. As we grew up, our parents had weekly Saturday parties with friends and neighbours at the Davis house – and music (sing-alongs) were always a big part of that. And of course that love of music has been infused into all of us. Her faith was very important to her, and she never missed Sunday Mass. She would dress us all up in our Sunday best, and Dad, our United Church chauffer, would drop us off at the front doors in that beauty 1964 Studebaker. And there were a few occasions when, towards the end of mass, that Mom would look over in shock to see Dad, acting as one of the ushers taking up collection – having come back a little early to pick us up and being pressed into service as he stood waiting at the back. He would acknowledge Mom’s shock with a wink and a grin as he passed the collection basket her way. He’d later say he was just doing his part to keep the church afloat for the family. Mom & Dad’s Newfy roots, as you all know, were very strong – and in many of the summers growing up we would make a family pilgrimage back to St. John’s to visit our huge extended family there. (Cousin Doug from St, John’s is with us right there) And back here in London, Mom & Dad left no doubt to anyone about their island heritage. From Newfy tartan (this is Dad’s tie), to Newfy jokes & songs, and yes, Newfy Screech and Jigs Dinners – there was no Newfy pride to hide. And we’ve all been likewise afflicted. Mom’s circle of influence was cast wider too, by the volunteering that she did at Marian Villa –. and she opened her own store on Dundas Street – “Joan’s Unique Boutique” situated just across from Catholic Central High School, where she made and sold so many of her own creative crafts. Now that you are aware of Mom’s creativity, I have to digress just a little at this point, to tell a story that my brother Wayne used to just loooove to tell. I was about 14 years old, and since Wayne was now married and I finally had a bedroom all to myself, Mom said, “Craig, let’s go and pick out some wallpaper – I’m going to redecorate your room.” At the store we spent what seemed like hours pouring through books of wallpaper designs. Getting weary of the task, I spotted a design that I showed her and jokingly said “Hey Mom, Now I like this one a lot!” It was a very abstract collage that had countless topless women woven into the design. I was shocked when Mom said “Gee, the colours are kinda drab and dark.” With that opening, I said “But I really like this one.” Also being tired of looking, she relented and bought 4 double rolls and took them home and applied them to 3 of the 4 walls of the room. That weekend, when Wayne came over, Mom said, “Hey Wayne, go check out Craig’s room. I redecorated it.” Moments later Wayne yells down the stairs, “Hey Mom, can you come up here for a minute”? Seconds later Mom let out a loud scream that had my name buried in it. So, what happened next you ask? Weellll –armed with her creative talent, and a paint brush, she spent the next 4 days painting negligees on the hundreds of Godivas. OK, back on track – with family being the focus of Mom and Dad’s lives, they couldn’t have been more proud of our spouses, Donna, Guy, Casey, Paddy and Bob and the resulting productivity of 18 Grandchildren & 20 Great Grandchildren (and counting). With a smile on Mom’s face, Dad was often heard to say “Look at what all our begattin begot.” As every family member, down to each great grandchild continues to make the world a better place for themselves and others, Mom & Dad, (Nanny & Papa), are looking down right now, together, so proud of the bounty of blessings that you represent. And of course, saying, “Long May Your Big Jib Draw”. Craig Davis