Joan Margaret (Macdonald) Dover
Died: December 26, 2012 | Place: Residence
Obituary
DOVER, Joan Margaret…
At home surrounded by her family in London, Ontario on Wednesday, December 26th, 2012, Joan Margaret (Macdonald) Dover in her 93rd year. Predeceased by her cherished husband Dean (2000) and many departed loved ones. She leaves behind her grieving clan – Lexi (Bridget, Mark, Maya and Noa), Pegi (Philip, Beth, Chris and Alex) and Mac (Cailey and James), as well as her “second son” Conrad So and family and Tony Belton. Also mourned by nieces, nephews and those whose lives she touched.
A proud descendant of the Scottish Highlands, whose ancestors were fisher folk, coal miners and bakers, Mom’s grace, generosity, wit and intelligence both guided and enriched the lives of all who knew her. How lucky, how very lucky, we were to have loved and to have been loved by her.
Mom broke ground in many ways; serving a stint in New York City with British Intelligence during WWII; becoming a full partner with Dean in building a welding supply business in London; and carrying her new born son Mac from the delivery room, a first for a London hospital. But in all she did, family was at the fore. She was our constant champion – encouraging, nudging, and worrying – but always believing in her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She tackled the world with kindness, curiosity, ‘pluck’, and a strong sense of tradition —- providing a model of how to live and in the end of how to die.
We are grateful for the wonderful care provided in past weeks by the staff of Medical Priorities, We Care, the CCAC, and Dr. John Jordan and his colleagues at the Byron Family Medical Centre. The tough medical and personal care challenges she experienced were cushioned enormously by reading, songs and much laughter. Visits by Len and Elsie, Mary, Donna, Michael, Neda and Joe and other friends brought joy to Mom and to the household. Thank you all.
Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, Ontario. The celebration of Joan’s life will be led by Reverend Canon Janet M. Lynall on Friday, January 4th, 2013 at 2 p.m. at St. Anne’s Anglican Church – Byron, 1344 Commissioners Road West, London. Interment in St. Anne’s Anglican Church Cemetery.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to St. Anne’s Anglican Church – Byron (Memorial Fund), Project Canoe (www.canoe.org); World Wildlife Fund (www.wwf.ca) or the charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
We leave you with our family toast. We hope it inspires and continues to resonate with generations to come….
“Here’s to those that we love
Here’s to those that love us
Here’s to those that love those that we love
Here’s to those that love those that love us”
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i was so sorry to hear about Joan passing. She was a wonderful caring person.I’m sure she will be missed by all. when I was working at Kingsmills she treated me like a friend not as a salesclerk.
To the Dover family;
I was saddened to read of Joan’s passing. Dean & Joan were very good friends of my late Mom & Dad
Dorcas & Frank Sharman. Joan has left many legacies to be proud of & her passing will leave a void not soon filled. Jim
My name is Anne Skirving. I am the eldest daughter of Alex and Peggy Stuart. My parents were friends of your Mom and Dad. My father owned Essex Welding Supply in Windsor Ontario. They always spoke so happily of their friendship with your parents, I wanted to express my sympathy to your family.
I have wonderful memories of time spent with both Joan and Dean and especially Lexi. My thoughts are with you all as you celebrate your mom’s life.
My Dear friend
What can I say – I haven’t seen your Mother for many years but your family always meant alot to me . The wonderful welcoming that I always got when I came to your home. My thoughts are with you all. Cherish the memories.
Love Wen
Pegi: My condolences on your Mom’s passing.
On seeing today’s obituary, I had a rush of warm memories of her, your family and your home on the edge of Byron more than 50 years ago.
The evident love and warmth of the Dover family leaves a lasting impression and Joan obviously played a huge role in that.
affectionately,
Sean Moore
Mac, sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Peter
Lexi and Pegi,
I was so saddened to hear of your mum’s passing. I have such fond memories of times spent at your lovely warm home during the Camp Queen Elizabeth days. My thoughts are with you all.
Dear Lexi, Peter and I are both so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Mom. It is never easy, but especially hard at this time of year. We send our love to you and all the family. Please give Bridget a hug for us, and a big one to you too.
Pegi, Lexi and Mac – I was saddened to read of your mother’s passing. Your tribute to her was inspiring and heartfelt and brought back fond memories of good times with the Dover clan. Please accept my condolences for this challenging period for you.
Audrey
Dear Lexi, Peg and Mac and families. So very sorry to hear that Joan has passed on. I was asking Lynne about her about a month ago. So many good memories of visits, tea, shortbread and of course Taffy. Joan was a true Matriarch with the family revolving around her with love.
sending hugs, Peggy J
Dear Pegi, Lexi and Mac, we are all so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. She was an angel to all who knew her. Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time.
What an acommplished, well-loved mother. My thoughts are with you in this sorrowful time.
My thoughts are with the Dover family as you say goodbye to a remarkable woman – a generous, intelligent woman with an open heart for everyone. I know she will be missed terribly.
Emma Warrillow + family
To Joannie, my mom number 2
In our own selfish way we want mom to live forever. For she has loved all of us in such a special way that has changed my life as a young inquisitive student in Canada 40 years ago. She has shown me and made me realized that kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and love cannot be held back and will grow and multiply when given unconditionally. Her love is always generous, kind, not self seeking, always giving, accommodating and will be pleasing to God himself. As a recipient of her love I know God has blessed my life richly. Mom may you dance with Dad forever!
I met Grandma Joan on my first visit to Canada in the early 1990s. and discovered the magic of Christmas. I watched her in her basement wrapping the piles of Christmas gifts she had prepared for her family and friends. It was like being in Santa’s workshop as she worked at that huge bench wrapping boxes, tying ribbons and making each gift look so festive. On Christmas morning we woke to find a stocking for each person stuffed full of goodies, each stocking thoughtfully filled with bits and pieces to thrill and excite us. Oh it was magical Christmas experience for me. I watched Grandma Joan lovingly prepare the Christmas meal. The kitchen was her territory and I only dared to do what she would allow me to help with. What a warm feeling in that kitchen as I helped to prepare vegetables and wash dishes. It was a strong sense of the importance of family and its rituals and traditions to this special lady, one who was so very proud of her family, who took great care to ensure they were looked after, that they felt loved. She was a very giving and welcoming person, much loved by all who knew her. I’m grateful for the love that both Grandma Joan and Grandpa Dean showered upon Conrad especially during his years in Canada. If not for them and the whole Dover clan, life in Canada would have been a very different and less fulfilling experience for Conrad.
We were excited to be able to celebrate Grandma Joan’s 90th birthday party. Though she was more frail then, she was elegant as always, enjoying being surrounded by those she loved. Nevertheless in typical style, she made sure we were well looked after, fully fed and made to feel completely at home.
Though everyone who knew her and especially those closest to her will miss her deeply, I’m thankful that she passed away quickly with little pain, having enjoyed the special Christmas time with those whom she loved the most.
Candy So
Dear Pegi,
We were so sorry to hear that your mother had passed on. When we think about Joan we remember a great conversationalist and lover of music; someone who connected with people and who was fully there in the moment, engaged and engaging. We feel fortunate to have known her and thankful for the wonderful daughter she produced.
We all send you, Beth, Phil and the rest of your family much love and deepest condolences.
Carole, Peter, Charlotte and Isabelle
Mac, Lexi, Pegi, Conrad and all your families. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. I remember back to our university days and how welcoming your mother was. A life well lived, our deepest condolences on her passing.
Lexi, Peg and Mac,
Our heart felt condolences to you and your families.
I have such wonderful mermories of times spent with your mother and dad. Your mothers caring nature made every visit special. Memories from the time I was very young enjoying a summer visit at her beautiful home to her visits to Aunt Nan and our wonderful annual “cousins” days at Woodbine.
She has touched the hearts of so many and will be very much missed.
Lexi:
I only met your mother on one occassion but I remember her as being very gracious to her daughters Queen’s friends.
Sorry about your loss, particularly at this time of year. She sounds as if she was a remarkable women. Nice to know her daughter followed in her footsteps.
Keep in touch.
Peter and Heather
Dear Lexi, Pegi and Mac,
I was so sad to hear of Aunt Joan’s death. She was a sweet and wonderful lady. I still remember the super visits we had as children at your parent’s home. Mum and Dad always looked forward to those visits and thought so highly of both your parents.
My condolences to you and your families. It is a very challenging time.
love Jo Ann
Mac, Lexi, Pegi, Conrad and all your families. I know a huge hole has been left in your hearts with the loss of your wonderful Mom. This is so difficult because you were lucky enough to love and be loved by such a beautiful spirit. Many people aren’t that blessed. Your special times with her are the gift she has given to you and you alone. I know you treasure them deeply.
The tribute obituary was beautifully written and underlined that love, grace, laughter, embracing life and those in her life, fueled her soul and she shared and nurtured so much of that with all of you.
There’s a quote that reads “God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.” I wish you comfort in the many memories of love that will keep her close, at this sad time, and forever.
My thoughts and prayers are with you…..to live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die.
Mickeyxoxo
Lexi, Pegi, Mac and families:
I am so sorry to hear of “Mrs. D”‘s passing. She was always Mrs. D in our family. I will treasure the memories I have of her and of your family’s impact on ours. She was a lovely person both inside and out. I am happy that she got her wish to die at home. All the best to your family. I wish I could have been there for the funeral and visitation but it wasn’t possible for me to get there.
Love,
“Tommy”
ps I only let your Mom and a few others get away from calling me that by the way!
Joan Dover was known to us as “Aunt Joan Dover” and she was a very great friend of Wendy’s Uncle John and his wife Joan, also know as Aunt Joan Watson to differentiate the two great friends.
Many were the happy times that were spent at Go Home Lake when Aunt Joan Dover and her husband Dean hosted the most wonderful parties and kindly invited our newly-arrived from England family(Wendy and Jim and children Emma and John)
The extraordinary kindness of Joan Dover will never be forgotton so long as any of our family still lives. She was charming, generous and inclusive and with a lovely Highland appearance and sparkling eyes. Rest in peace dear Joan; we were so happy to have known you.
Sincere condolences to the family.
Jim and Wendy Warrillow and family
To Dover and family,
Please accept my condolences. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you.
May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time
My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Indrapal