It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Alice Leishman on August 3, 2025, at the age of 67.

A beloved Mother, Grandmother, journalist, and friend, Joan leaves behind a legacy of integrity, compassion, fearlessness and boundless generosity.

Joan was a pioneering voice in Canadian journalism. Spending more than three decades with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), she brought her fearless, truth-seeking spirit to covering many of the time’s most profound stories including the Rwandan genocide and South Africa’s transition from apartheid, founded CBC Radio’s Africa bureau and acted as CBC’s Latin American bureau Chief. In later years, Joan extended her passion for justice and freedom of expression through her work with PEN Canada and Romero House. With these groups, she helped persecuted writers obtain refugee status, transition to a new life in Canada, and mentored them. In 2023, she was honored with the Marie-Ange Garrigue Award in recognition of her extraordinary human rights advocacy.

Above all, Joan cherished her role as a wife, Mother, and Grandmother. She is survived by her daughters, Thandiwe and Lauren Di Felice, and her four beloved grandchildren: Daniel, Dante, Logan and Hunter. Her love and commitment to her family was deep enduring. She will now be reunited with her late Husband Daniele “Danny” Di Felice.

Joan will be remembered for her fierce intellect, free spirit, love of nature and birds, and her deep commitment to living a life of justice and generosity. She is also mourned by her seven surviving siblings, cousins, as well as countless colleagues and friends across Canada and beyond.

Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., (east of Windermere) on Sunday, August 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A celebration of life service will follow on Monday, August 11th at 3:00 p.m. at the same location.


** This will be a celebration of life so please be advised that the dress code for both the viewing and the service is bright and celebratory colours. **


In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to Romero House.

Her voice may be quiet now, but the stories she told, the lives she touched, and the truths she championed will echo for generations