Mary Joan Whittaker

MARY JOAN WHITTAKER (Hutchison), R.N., B.A.
Mary Joan left us in the early morning hours of 27 December 2015 in the same fashion as she lived her wonderful life: amid bouts of spirited conversation, much laughter, and overwhelming grace. She was born in Toronto on 31 March 1926 to Leonard and Marguerite Hutchison at the Wellesley Hospital. Predeceased by her parents and sister, Bunny (Lenore) Foster, Mary Joan is survived by her loving and steadfast husband of 64 years, William George, sons William Leonard (Antonia), Jonathan David (Shelley), daughter Martha Marguerite, and grandchildren Michael, Jonathan, Katie, and Taylor.
After her parents moved to Peterborough, Mary Joan graduated from PCVS. She continued her studies at the Wellesley Hospital in Toronto and earned her nursing degree in 1947. Following her marriage in 1951, she and Bill journeyed to British Columbia, living in Smithers and Wells, before returning to Toronto, Peterborough, and finally Brampton, where they settled in 1962.
While tending to the needs of her growing family, Mary Joan expressed a keen interest in her community through her work in support of the construction of Brampton’s first YMCA and the United Way for Peel. As a member of the Brampton Literary and Travel Clubs, she was a voracious reader, loved her daily Globe & Mail, and excelled at bridge. Mary Joan enjoyed skiing and badminton during the winter months, tennis matches in the spring, and, most of all, deeply treasured her time with family and friends at the family cottage, built by her grandparents in 1923 on the shores of Georgian Bay in Penetanguishene. Mary Joan also found time to hone her enviable skills as a master croquet player, sweeping several championships of the Little Sandy Bay Annual Croquet Invitational. She relished her travels throughout Europe, China, South America, and Australia, in the company of her husband and various travel groups. In 1989, Mary Joan proudly completed her Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology/History) through the extension programme of Laurier University.
Visitation will be at Ward Funeral Home (52 Main Street South, Brampton) on Tuesday, December 29th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be at Christ Church (4 Elizabeth Street North) on Wednesday, December 30th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brampton Civic Hospital or Christ Church, Brampton.
Please visit Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com
Proverbs 31:11a, 28 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust her. . .
her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, he praiseth her.”