It is with great sadness that we announce Joan’s passing on Saturday, March 22, 2025. She was welcomed into the Kingdom of her Lord at the age of 80 years. Born in Ottawa on November 18, 1944, to the late John and Winifred Owens (nee Marston) of Arnprior. Devoted and loving mother to Rob Owens (Bonnie Clement) of Merrickville and Tania Turpin (Chris Colman) of Ottawa. Cherished grandmother to Ivy Turpin. Predeceased by her brother Robert Owens (1973), she will also be deeply missed by her sisters Kathleen Lesway (the late John) of Almonte and Margaret Loughead (Wallace) of Manotick. Special Aunt to Michael Lesway (Sharon Roxborough), Kristen Cowan (Ben), Jennika Maheral (Derek) and Joshua Loughead (Ariana Garcia). She will also be dearly missed by her circle of devoted friends.
A proud graduate of the Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing (Class of ‘66), she completed a successful 45-year career in the operating room before retiring in October of 2012. After which she joined her daughter to work at Beechwood as a hostess. She ran the Beechwood kitchen the way she ran the operating room…clean and orderly.
Joan’s family would like to extend a heartfelt and gracious ‘Thank You!’ to Dr. Barry Dworkin, Dr. Kyle Walker, Dr. Katerina Spacek, Assurance Home Care (specifically mom’s PSW, Swasta) and the incredible staff at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.
Family and friends are invited to attend Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, for a Visitation on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 12 noon until the time of the Memorial Service at 1 p.m., in Beechwood’s Sacred Space. Reception to follow. Interment in Whyte’s Cemetery (Fitzroy Harbour) at a later date. As much as Joan loved flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice Care Ottawa (Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice), the Ottawa Humane Society or The War Amps, in her honour.
Livre de visiteurs
Ivy Turpin
Cheryl Milmore Moore
My sincere sympathies to Rob & Tania & and all the family🙏
Rest in peace my dear friend 🌹
I graduated Class of ´66 with Joan & have very fond memories of times spent with her over the years.
Carol Huffman
Rest in peace, Joan. You are missed.
Flo Alexander
It's been my absolute pleasure to have had the chance to get to know Joan this past year. We knew of each other at church but meeting up at 7 AM to do some activities of daily living together triggered a much deeper friendship to blossom. We laughed, we cried, we shared and we teased each other. Joan will be much missed, including by me.
Sharon O’Rourke, Greely
I am so sad to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a wonderful colleague, teacher and friend. She was an organized worker and worked hard for her patients, doctors, fellow nurses and support staff. She will be missed by many. I have such fond memories of her and wish to send my condolences to her family and friends.
Sue Fornataro (Vincent-Innes ‘66)
Joan was the driving force behind the OCH School of Nursing for so, so many years. She will be sadly missed by not only her classmates but by all OCH grads.
Merle MacLeod
Worked with Joan for so many years at the Civic, so many good memories. My condolences to you all.
Heather Roper
I worked many years with Joan and she was a great teacher, great nurse and person with a wicked sense of humour. she will be missed but membered fondly.
Cathy Zuana
I had the opportunity to work with Joan for many years in the operating room at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus. You were an exceptional, kind and compassionate person and you will be very much missed. Condolences to the family rest well Joan.
Werner Linsenmeier
May God take care of you.
I love you to the moon and back.