It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Joan McGauley. Joan had a full life, spanning 87 years that was enriched with love, family, friends, career, pets, and adventures.

Born in 1937 in Windsor, to her parents, Grace and Murray Dingle, she grew up in Bloor West Village and in Etobicoke. Joan had one sister, Ruth Grant, with whom she enjoyed a strong bond and friendship despite the distance between their homes.

Joan attended the Annette St. School, where she was awarded the Grade 8 trophy for Character, Leadership, and Scholarship. Her High School years were spent at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, where she was a top student and cheerleader. She then went on to Victoria College, at University of Toronto, where she excelled in her studies and built many great friendships that have lasted the test of time.

Joan met Dan McGauley on Lake Muskoka while working a summer job at Windemere House. They married in 1960, and were married for 46 years, until Dan passed away in 2006. Many of the people who attended their wedding remained friends for life.

Joan began her career as a teacher, initially in Burlington, before moving back to Etobicoke when Dan secured a position at Noranda Sales in Toronto. Following Dan’s job, they moved to England for a year and returned home to Etobicoke in 1964.

Joan and Dan had four sons: Michael, David, Gregory, and Mark, who all arrived in steady succession between 1964 and 1971. Joan was also Grandmother to David & Angela’s three children, Errigal, Mac and Rowan, and more recently she has been step-grandma to Michael stepson and Fiona's son Dylan.

In the mid-1970’s, Joan resumed her teaching career, working at various schools in Etobicoke, where she developed a focus on the Special Education program, to help those kids who needed the most. She poured a lot of herself into her work, and eventually became a Vice Principal, and she finished her working life as the Principal at John G. Althouse Middle School.

When not at work, Joan enjoyed many summers with family and friends at her parents’ cottage on Muldrew Lake, and family ski trips to the Eastern Townships, along with March Break trips to Hilton Head. Joan enjoyed her pets, starting with Katie, her Irish Setter who followed Joan and Dan home from England, and lots of cats, far too many to mention. She enjoyed reading all of the latest books, dressing very well, going to plays, and attending performances by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. She thoroughly enjoyed the great friendships she had with the ladies in her extended family (particularly her nieces, Terry and Tracey Akitt) and those in The Study Group, The Vic Book Club, and The Sisterhood.

Joan’s retirement years with Dan were all to brief, as Dan passed away suddenly at 72 years of age, although they did enjoy some travel and relaxing times whenever possible. A few years after Dan’s passing, Joan struck up a new relationship with Ross Lawrence, a fellow whose company she has enjoyed through common social circles since her early days. Her subsequent relationship with Ross has been filled with busy social occasions and globe-trotting.

Joan passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital. She has led a full life, and she has touched many souls. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to: The Heart & Stoke Foundation of Canada or Sunnybrook Health Sciences.