MacLEOD, Joan Louise Lister (née Baxter)

Passed away peacefully in Ottawa surrounded by loving family in her 85th year of complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Joan was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend to many, and community builder.
She is survived by her husband of almost 58 years John William, sons John Ross (Kevin Wagman) & Kenneth, granddaughter Eva (mother Madeleine DeWolfe), grandson Justin (father Joël Comeau), brother Kenneth (Donna), niece Catherine (John), nephew Donald (Suzanne) along with many other family members. She was predeceased by her parents Kemlo & Lumina Baxter and daughter Margot MacLeod.

Joan was best friend and confident to her husband John. They were inseparable partners through all of life’s many celebrations and challenges. They loved family vacations and travelled extensively together throughout the world including many cruises.

As a mother, she supported her kids and made sure they had the opportunity for many experiences in life be it hockey, ballet, drama, piano lessons, tennis, horseback riding, summer camps, travel, etc. She was a career mentor and coach. She enjoyed playing and reading bedtime stories to her grandchildren.
Born and raised in Toronto, Joan was an honours graduate of Toronto’s Havergal College and then Ottawa’s Carleton University School of Journalism. Joan was a well-known journalist, public relations expert, public servant, and involved in education and theatre development. She worked to improve the quality of life for people in her community and the province. One of her proudest accomplishments was being the Women’s commentator and host of “The Joan Baxter Show” Monday to Friday on Ottawa’s CFRA Radio. She interviewed such dignitaries as Eleanor Roosevelt and Golda Mier. She was former president of the Ottawa Women’s Press Club; Chairman Ottawa Public Library Board; trustee Ottawa Board of Education; co-founder of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa; founding member of the Ontario Educational Communications Authority steering TV Ontario. Joan also worked for the Ottawa Journal, Maclean Hunter Business Publications, Eastern Ontario Library System, and the Government of Canada.
The family would especially like to thank the wonderful management and staff at the Revera Edinburgh Retirement Residence for their exceptional care.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Celebration of Life which will be held Friday October 28 at the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. (east of Vanier Parkway) Ottawa, at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow Borden & Fleming Suites, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON, CANADA, K1L 8A6 at 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM. In memoriam Donation to the Alzheimer’s Society appreciated. Online condoleances may be made at www.beechwoodottawa.ca.