Joan Mary Ducharme of Zurich, died on February 19, 2023 at the age of 80, from a very unexpectedly quick, and brave surrender to cancer. Final days were spent in comfort with family at Jessica’s House in Exeter.
Dedicated wife of Pauly Ducharme for over 60 years. Loving mother to son Darcy, his wife Lisa, daughter Margo, and her husband Micah. Adoring grandmother to Evan, his wife Amanda, Hilary and her pup Ruby, and step-grandkids Emmett and Luna. Dear sister of Veronica Hotchkiss, twin sister Joyce Waller and her husband Ken, Larry Lane and his wife Jane, and Michael Lane and his wife Rosie. Sister-in-law of Martha Risi. Fondly loved by many nieces and nephews, neighbors and dear friends.
Predeceased by her parents Helena Josephine (Martin) (d.2004) and Joseph John Lane (d.1997), her brother Tommy Lane (d.2017), brother-in-law Bill Hotchkiss (d.2008), mother and father-in-law, Juliette Denomme (d.1956) and William ‘Boy’ Ducharme (d.1978).
Joan was genuinely the kindest woman to everyone she knew and met, always encouraging of another to reach for their potential. As Clerk & Treasure of The Municipality of Hay Township, Bluewater, she was a well known member of the community. She and Paul worked their farm on the Goshen and spent many years enjoying friends and nature on the Bruce Peninsula, and then 28 winters with time in both Fort Myers and Largo, Florida. Joan freely offered her passion for yoga as a teacher at two different parks, sharing regular classes with an open invitation to all. She was an active member of St. Boniface Parish and CWL for over 60 years, as well as her Florida parish St. Justin Martyrs during her time there. Above all, Joan loved with kindness and compassion all living creatures.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral home, 49 Goshen Street North, ZURICH on Wednesday, February 22nd, from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 PM. Registration is required and appreciated. Please click “Register Now” below, to register.
Joan’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 22 Mary Street, ZURICH on Thursday, February 23rd at 11 AM with Father Tony Laforet presiding. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery, St. Joseph.
For those unable to attend the Mass in person, the family invites you to join with them from the comfort of your home. Stream the service live or at your convenience by visiting https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeHuronCatholicFamilyOfParishes
Joan’s family is deeply thankful for the compassionate care of Dr. Deborah Josephson, St. Elizabeth nurse Charlene Foxton, the staff and volunteers at Jessica’s House, and the support of friends and family during this time.
Donations to Jessica’s House, or a charity of your choice will be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Mark Heimrich
Paul, Darcy and Lisa, Margo, and Micah, and all of Joan’s family and friends;
My sincere condolences in the loss of Joan. I remember many pleasant interactions with Joan over the years. From my days filling her car with gas (Parkins & Erb garage) and time seeing her in our store (Heimrich’s Stationery & Gifts) in the late 70’s & 80’s to more recent times around Zurich and Exeter. Joan always had a smile for all. My Mom, Marilyn Heimrich, also sends her sympathy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mark (Julie) Heimrich & Marilyn Heimrich.
Leanne
Paul, Darcy, Lisa, Margo, Micah, Evan, Amanda and Hilary,
So sad to hear of Joan passing. She was a wonderful lady and so kind and friendly on the many occasions that I spent time with her at family get togethers. Sorry for your loss.
Leanne and family, Jason, Jack, Lily & Charlize
Nancy-Rae and Bob Lovie
Our condolences and prayers are with all the family members at this shocking and sad time….Joan was such a kind considerate lady who loved life.. Cherish the memories..
Jean Moylan
My condolences to the Ducharme and Lane families on the death of your dear Joan.
My uncle John Lane lived across from the Joe J. Lane family.
My mother often brought my sister Luella, brother Gord and me to visit our uncle John.
Joan, Joyce, Tom and Michael would come across the road to visit us. We children had fun times chatting and playing together. I remember it all so vividly today.
Rest in peace, Joan.
With sympathy and prayers on your loss of your dear wife, mother and grandmother.
Sr. Jean Moylan csj
Brenda Rice
Paul, Darcy, Margo and families. Heartfelt condolences to you and your families at this time. So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing, as she was such a bright light. Joan’s exuberance was infectious, a lovely lady. Joan will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.
God Bless,
cousin Brenda Rice
daughter of Margaret Lane
Jim Dickins
So sorry Paul and family for your lose. Joan was such are great person and great labor and family friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Elaine and Don Beauchamp
So Sorry to hear this sad news Our condolences to Paul and Family You’re in our thoughts and prayers
Donna Watson
To Paul ,Darcy, Margo and families I am so so very sorry for your loss of Joan. She was such a kind woman. She helped me a lot when I was a young mother. God bless you all.
Donna Watson
John and Antonette Lane
Dear Paul, Darcy, Margo and Families,
Veronica, Joyce, Michael and Larry,
We are so saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. We remember with joy the happy reunion we had last summer. May you find comfort in the knowledge that she has gone to a place of of peace and beauty. Cherish all your wonderful memories of this special lady!
Love, John and Antonette Lane
Rob and Brenda Grenier
We would like to send our deepest Sympathy to Paul ,Darcy , Margo and their families.
Glennda
Paul.
Your Midway family is keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Trudy Groenestege
We extend our sincere condolences for your loss. We hope your memories give you comfort at this difficult time. Joan and Paul were great neighbours to us when we lived in Zurich. Joan showed a friendly interest in our family and enjoyed it when the grandchildren were playing on our end of the street. Her friendship through the years has been appreciated and will be missed.
Coby Vanden Boomen and family
Cecelia Denomme
Dear Paul – you and your family are on our minds and in our hearts – with sadness.
Joan was special to many- always remembering our family connections. She will always be remembered –
With sympathy and prayer – Cecelia and Don
DonnaO'Brien
Joan’s passing was a shock to many ! I am certain your many happy memories will sustain you in days ahead.Please accept my sincere sympathy! Hugs to all of you !!
Steve &Deb Overholt
Our deepest sympathy to all the family…..she will be your angel..have faith she is always by your side!
Hugs to all
Steve & Deb Overholt
M.T Degraaf
So sorry to hear of Joan’s death. Praying for your family . Teresa DeGraaf( Nash)
Margaret Powell
Paul, Darcy, Margo and Family – So sorry for your loss of beautiful, kind Joan….she was always so caring and gracious. Thinking of you at this sad time and sending love and hugs.
Margaret (Ducharme) Powell
Cam & Kathy Steckle
Paul, Darcy, Margo & families
We are very saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. Sending our love and prayers to you all at this time of sorrow.
Love
Cam & Kathy Steckle and family
George Watson
Paul ,Darcy, Margo and grandchildren so sorry to hear that Joan has passed away. Somehow she will help you get through this sad time with good memories of the past.
Francis Denomme
Paul,Darcy,Margot and families, I am very sorry to hear about Joan death my deepest sympathy to you all my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jill Yager and William Dyer
Celebrating joy is an antidote to feeling grief and before meeting Joan everything we had heard about her, and ourselves felt once in her presence, was a welcomed abundance of joy that now in her passing gives us much of the comfort we seek.
And, Margo, our daughter-in-law, easily and often shared how the contentment in her mother’s presence urged the longing to be nearer. And, what Margo knew and needed seemed like a common feeling from those fortunate enough to share even a small part of their lives with Joan.
So, even though our time with Joan was brief, still her warmth, affection and welcoming presence endures.
Celebrating a remarkable life of such a lovely woman who brought joy to those she loved and loved her in return, helps ease the grief as her life is mourned.
Joe and Marilyn Kend
Paul and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. Always enjoyed our talks when we would see her out on her walks. She was a great lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. 💕🙏🏻
Gordon Albini and Heather Albini
Our deepest condolences.
Mary Ducharme
Paul, Darcy & Margo
Sending my sincere sympathy and prayers at this time of Joan’s passing.
Joan will always be remembered as a kind and caring person.
May she Rest In Peace.
Mary Ducharme
Wayne Keller& Bonnie Keller
Paul…Darcy…Margo and families. We were so saddened to hear of Joan passing. She will be missed by all who new her. Such a gentle soul. Hold on to the memories. Hugs Bonnie &Wayne
Brent Lambert
Dear Margo and Joan’s entire family,
I am so heartbroken for your loss, and I offer you my deepest, most heartfelt sympathy and condolences during this difficult time.
As we all mourn the end of Joan’s time here in the physical world, and celebrate the impact she made in the world around her, I think of this poem by David Whyte:
“An elegy is always a conversation between grief and celebration: the grief of the loss of the person and the celebration that you were here at all to share the planet with them.”
Margo and all of Joan’s family and closest loved ones, you are front and centre in my heart, my soul, and my prayers.
All my love,
Brent
Pat and Steve Meidinger
Dear Paul, Darcy and Margo. So very sorry for your loss. Joan was a woman of great faith! She will be so very much missed at our weekly Wednesday and Saturday night Masses! She will now be your very own angel in heaven to watch over you forever! R.I.P. dear Joan!🙏🙏
Jerry & Rose Vanbruaene
Paul, Darcy, Margo and family,
I had a nice chat with Joan just a few weeks ago at church and as always she was her kind friendly self. We are so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort knowing she is now resting in the arms of Jesus.
Jerry & Rose
Larry & Donna Shapton
Dear Pauly, Darcy, Margo and Family…. We were so saddened to hear of Joan’s recent. passing. As we write this note from our cottage at Miller Lake, Bruce Peninsula we think back on many wonderful memories of spending time and having lots of laughs and water fun with Joan and Paul at their Miller Lake cottage so many years ago. We are thinking of all of you and extend our deepest sympathies… Most Fondly, Larry & Donna Shapton
Jeff and Lorraine Forrester
Paul, Darcy, Margo and Family. So sorry for your loss. Joan was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. RIP Joan.
Lilliane Laporte
Paul and family,
My condolences to you and your family in the passing of Joan. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lil Laporte
Patti Hunt
So saddened to hear of my ‘back yard’ neighbors’ passing.
We had many chats through the trees!
Our sympathies to Paul & family.
Patti (Smith) & Jamie Hunt
Margy Hartman Wardell
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
I have been praying for Joan. May she Rest In Peace. I send my condolences to you all.
Bob and Brenda Morrissey
Sorry to hear about Joan. Had many good times with her and Paul. She will be missed.
Alice Masse
Pauly and Family
lane Family.
Our thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow and may the memories bring you peace strength and comfort We will remember Joan for her gentle nature and warm smile
Don & Alice Masse
Pat McLean
Condolences to Joan’s family from a cousin far away in Alberta.
My Mom and Dad (Lou and Dorothy Lane )spoke fondly of Joan and family.
Rose and Keith Brittain
So sorry to hear this sad news, our sincere condolences to the family.
Helene Malcolm (Ducharme)
Paul, Darcy, Margo and family. I am so very sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. What a shock for all of you! Please accept my most sincere condolences! We have to believe that Joan is with Jesus, no more pain, no more suffering.
Peace and love.
Helene Malcolm and Fred Green
Julie Gelinas
Pauly , Darcy, Margo and family.
We are so sorry to hear this sad news. Joan was always quick to come over to chat with Moz and I when we would come back to Zurich. She was so very kind and always friendly. We send much love and pray that your memories will sustain you through this difficult time.
Julie and Mozart
Laura Ann Overholt
Dear Paul, Darcey, Lisa, Margo, Micah and grandchildren.
Words and writing this message are not enough to express
how sorry I am to hear of Joan’s passing.
Our usual Saturday night talks or what you would
call a short visit, when she and Paul would come to mass.
Condolences and Prayers, now in the months to come to family
and friends.
RIP Joan
Tony /Marlene Bedard.
ToPaul.and all the Ducharme
/Lane families.. we are so sorry to see that Joan has Passed.. we Tony/IMarlene have a lot of memories …history ..with Both Families. so sorry foryour loss.!!
Phil and Lisa Dietrich
Paul, Darcy, Lisa, and family, Margo, Micah, and family;
Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We were so fortune to have known Joan. She left us all with so many memories. Cherish them all.
An Angel
An angel lived among us,
A gift from God above.
She showered us with kindness
And shared with us her love.
She cherished every moment
With the man who was her life;
Walking hand in hand together,
Facing life with all its strife.
She loved her children dearly,
Each one a different way,
Nestled close within her heart.
Though, now, she’s far away.
She’s gone to live with Jesus.
But, she’s here with us, today,
Smiling down on every one of us,
And telling us she’s O.K.
By Unknown
Marlene(Nash) Dave de Vries
Dear Paul,Darcy and families,
Veronica,Joyce, Mike, Larry and families.
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Joan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Treasure the memories.❤️
Sincerely Marlene & Dave
Barbara McCann
Dear Paul and family, sincere sympathy on Joan’s passing.
Love lives on in the lives Joan has touched.
May precious memories comfort you at this difficult time.
God Bless you and keep you in His care.
Larry and Barb McCann
Elaine Ducharme
George & Elaine Ducharme
Paul, Darcy, Margo & families our sincere condolences in the passing of Joan. She will be missed
Charles E Browning
We are so sorry and surprised to hear of Joans passing we had some good times with the gang best wishes to you and the family with our sympathy
Charlie and Doreen
Lawrence and Dianne Becker
Our sympathy to you Paul and your family.May the memories you shared ease the pain of your loss.
Marty and Julie Becker
Dear Paul and family,
We are so sorry to hear the sad news that Joan has passed away.
She was a lovely lady and will forever be remembered for her deep faith and caring ways. Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt condolences. Heaven has truly gained an angel. Rest in peace dear Joan.
Bob & Vicki
Paul and family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Joan was such an awesome lady.
She always had a smile and was ready for a chat.
Cherish your memories.
Bob & Vicki Hay
Ron and Dianne Ducharme
Dear Paul Darcy Margo and Family
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Joans passing
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at
this very sad time
Darlene (Ducharme) MacDonald
Dear Martha, Paul and all families of Joan,
It is with sadness that I have read this obituary of Joan’s and her sudden passing. I remember Joan very well and would always say Hi to me when I came to visit in Zurich and we ran into each other – especially at Rader’s for the Saturday Music. Please accept my sincere condolences for this lovely woman.
Madeline Shepherd
Dear Paul, Darcy, Margo and your families. Stuart and I are so very sorry for your loss. Joan was one of the kindest, most caring people I’ve had the priveledge to call a friend. Joan was very knowledgeable about so many topics and I always enjoyed our visits. There will be a huge void on our street.
Sunshine, rain or snow didn’t keep her from her daily walk. She worked hard all her life and never seemed to slow down. I hope knowing Joan is at peace, free from pain and with our Lord will somehow give you comfort. I believe you now have your own personal Guardian Angel.
Rest in Peace my friend, until we meet again.
Pat & Evelyn Regier
Our Deepest Sympathy to you Paul and family. She was my weekday Mass friend and I will miss seeing her there, so much!
Darren and Aimee Rau
Sending our deepest sympathy to you all. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Sharon Ann Marie Waller
Dear sister, I will truly miss you until the day I go until we meet each other again love your sister, Joyce Maureen Ln., Waller I will truly miss you. Love you, Joyce.
Tanya & Wayne Thiel
Paul, Darcy, Margo and families
We are so saddened to hear of Joan’s sudden passing! She was the sweetest soul with a heart of gold and a true angel on earth! I know she will be greatly missed! Cherish the memories!
Lots of love,
Tanya, Wayne, Amanda and Steven Thiel
Doug and Betty Lynn Eckel
Paul, Darcy, Margo and families – we are so very sorry to hear of Joan’s untimely passing. Find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have made, and knowing that her pain is over. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Joan. ♥