Obituary of Joan Makepeace

Joan Elizabeth (Fluker) Makepeace May 19, 1922 - December 1, 2012 Joan passed away peacefully in bed at her home, with her daughter near, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the age of 90 years. She was born in Whitby, Ontario and was the only (much loved and indulged) child of Gertrude Maude (Cox) Fluker and John Dow Fluker. The family moved to Brockville, Ontario in 1931 where Joan enjoyed a delightful childhood and where she returned after attending Queens University, was married and gave birth to her two children. Despite moving away in 1958, raising her family first in Brampton and then Toronto, and living here for 47 years, she always referred to Brockville as "home". The family cottage at Fernbank, just outside Brockville, and her many friends there, had a very special place in her heart. She spent every summer at the cottage from the age of 12 to 89 and this is where she spent her most precious time with her grandchildren. Joan was the beloved wife of the late Paul du Garde Makepeace, the cherished mother of Peter Makepeace of Brockville and Julie Makepeace and her husband Firth Whitwam of Toronto, the devoted and much loved grandmother of Jeff and Jill Makepeace, Alex and Nikki Makepeace and Matthew and Alison Whitwam. She had a passion for bridge and played in 2 bridge clubs in Don Mills for over 40 years. She and her husband, Paul, frequently and regularly played bridge with their friends. After she sold her home and moved into Donway Place Retirement Residence in 2009, Joan quickly made friends and started playing bridge there too. As recently as earlier this fall, she was playing 3 times a week. Despite the painful and crippling osteoarthritis that began to plague her in her mid-forties and worsened as the years progressed, Joan enjoyed an active and engaged lifestyle right up to the end. She drove her car until she was 89 years old, read the paper every day and was always keenly interested in current events. First and foremost, Joan was devoted to her family and her life revolved around those she loved. She was a strong-willed woman who fought a brave fight against cancer far longer than her doctors thought possible. She knew her own mind to the very end and passed away on her own terms. She was a small woman but an immense presence in the lives of her family and friends and she will be deeply missed. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be held in Oakland Cemetery in Brockville in the Summer of 2013. If desired, donations may be made to The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division, 393 University Avenue, Suite 1700 Toronto M5G 1E6, www.arthritissociety.ca. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.