With enthusiasm, zest and an unwavering certainty Joan Van den Broeck tackled life. When she took on a task you knew she would approach it with all her ferocity.
Born in Goderich Ontario, Joan was the daughter of Ernest (Barney) and Mona Davis. She attended GDCI and was an athletic teenager who loved a competition swimming and diving.
In the early months of 1964 she set her sights on a handsome air force man who had the benefits of owning a car. It wasn’t long before they became engaged and married in October of 1964. Although she started her career as an RNA, she went on to work as a secretary prior to having 2 children, John and Elizabeth. As they grew so did her commitments and involvement in community. The results of her dedication are seen in her involvement that saved the Huron County Historic Gaol and the Goderich Livery Theater in the 70’s. Joan was also on the Huron County Board of Education and served a number of terms as the Chair of the Board.
Joan worked as the fundraising coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation where she founded the Jump Rope for Heart program. She went on too work as the Volunteer and Fund-Raising Coordinator of the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society where she founded the Kids Booster Club and Clown Alley and was instrumental in the growth of the Huron County Christmas Bureau, touching the lives of so many people.
This year marked her 30th as a member of the IODE. Always a willing volunteer on committees with her hand up to help anywhere she was needed. She served as co-chair of the IODE Christmas House tour 3 years ago, no small task.
Through her entire life Joan was known for her love of horses. Her horse passion was infectious, and she used that passion to help others whether it was horse related or not. The briefest mention of the topic of horses was all it took for Joan to launch into action and invite you into her life. She revelled in trail rides, horse shows, clinics, and simple time spent just brushing her horse Kelly. Every opportunity to wear her fringe jacket and Boulet boots was a great opportunity to her. She recently found an outlet for this passion as an active member of the Reach Center board.
Joan is dearly missed by her husband Ed and their children; John Van den Broeck his wife Barb Elliott and daughter Brooke Campbell-Patterson; Elizabeth Van den Broeck, her husband Scott Profit and their sons Kaelan and Justin Profit; her brother Walter Davis and his children Alistair Davis with his wife Martha and their children Aubrey and Levi; his daughter Adrienne and her husband Bruce with their daughter Samantha.
It was a great ride and her life will be cherished by all of those she touched.
The family will receive friends at McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, Goderich on Friday October 26, 2018 from 6-9 PM. The funeral Service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, Goderich on Saturday October 27 at 11 AM. Interment Colborne Cemetery Memorial donations to the I.O.D.E Maple Leaf Chapter gratefully acknowledged.
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).
Lisa Carney
I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. I had the privilege of going on some horse riding adventures with Joan and we certainly had many wonderful trips. I remember the moment that she saved my horse from being entangled in the picket line. Out of nowhere Joan came flying through the air with one hand grabbing at the picket line and the other hand holding her trusty knife as she sliced through the rope freeing Julie from certain harm; she was my hero that day!
I did not have the opportunity to be in touch with Joan for many years, but I often thought of her as I reminisced over our fantastic rides that always included lots of laughs and the sharing of our passion for horses. I am so sorry that I was not able to attend the funeral or the visitation, but I am sending all my deepest sympathies to the family. Joan was a loving, kind and considerate lady and she will be dearly missed.
Rebecca Turner
Many many years ago you mom and I were roommates at Stratford nursing school ..I was a timid farm girl from St Marys and she took me to her home in Goderich for many fun filled and crazy weekends..We lost touch after she left Stratford ( no internet then) ..I had been thinking about her recently and had thought it would be fun to try and locate her and touch base to see where life had led us.This morning at the hair dressers her in St Marys a client from Goderich came in ..we started talking and I told her about a Joan Davis that I was in training with..I had no idea of her married name but had heard that she was involved with localGoderich issues which I can see was true…Anyways we used the internet as she wondered if the Joan she knew was the same Joan Davis and I am sorry to hear of your loss of mother and wife…Wishing that I had reached out sooner and reconnected…I have many fond and funny memories of her from those months as roommates.
Sharon Brown
So sorry for your loss. She was a very giving, community minded person. My condolences to you and your family.
Ron & Cheryl Glousher
We will miss Joan, watching her being so faithfull to her horse rain snow or whatever she was out tending to its needs.
Joan had a Hello and a smile with her always.
Liz Herman
Dear Ed, John and Elizabeth and Families: Floyd and I really enjoyed working with Joan on different committees and thru work! We are sorry for your sadness and loss, we all have lost a remarkable woman, who worked so hard for so many things.Take care and God Bless! Floyd and Liz Herman
Sherry Marshall
I got to know Joan during her years with the Kids Booster Club, although my family (especially our dad) shared her love of horses. Her passion for providing all children with the opportunity to join a sport or club was inspiring. She always exhibited a zest for life. The community will miss her as well as her family. Our deepest sympathy.
Shirley Dinsmore
My memories of Joan go way back to the late fifties and early sixties. Many times after Joan’s shift as a life guard at the pool we would head down to the lake to swim some more. We could never get enough of swimming, joking and just having fun. I was so shocked and saddened by Joan’s passing and wishing we had connected more over the past years. Never enough time it seems. Bob and I send our deepest sympathy to you Ed and your family so very sad. RIP Joan you will be missed by many.
Cindy Fisher
Sincere sympathy to the VandenBroeck and Davis families on the passing of dear Joan. Her enthusiasm and commitment to community projects was quite admirable. I got to know Joan working on various heritage projects and moreso when she was chair/president of the Maitland Trail Association. Her sense of humour made meetings work. She will be missed. Cindy Fisher
Lesley Zolob
Sadly Joan has passed on, but she will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends
Joanne Kernighan
To Joan’s family, I enjoyed working with Joan so very much at CAS, she made me laugh on a daily basis and Joan would also be a strong educator on social issues. Since her retirement I would pass her each morning walking with her pail in hand down to the flats to take care of her beloved horses as I headed into the office. I always gave her a honk, she would give a wave and we would go on about our day. I share the same sentiments that I have missed seeing her the past few months walking to her horses. Joan talked so fondly of Ed, her children, her grandchildren and her horse. Please except our deepest sympathy.
Jim Wallace
My mother, Dorothy Wallace, had a very special place in her heart for Joan- all those “Save the Jail “and “Save the Livery” campaigns -with Joan, in the not so distant past . They were made so much easier with a strong woman with a great vision.
We will miss her. Goderich heritage will miss her too.
Maureen Penn
It was with great sadness I learned of Joan’s passing and my heart goes out to all her family. We were not close friends and, in the last few years, haven’t seen much of each other. However I always knew Joan would be there if ever I needed her, she was just that kind of person ! The times we did have together were always full of great conversations ( particularly about education and social issues ), and often full of laughing and joking.
She was an inspiration to many and will be sorely missed.
Kathryn Wettlaufer
My condolences to Joan’s family. I met her at the CAS where I supported a person in their volunteer job there. She was always appreciative of the volunteer’s efforts, welcoming her, and having a personal chat at each visit. She made each of us feel valued and important. May her family take comfort in the sharing of people who’s lives Joan touched in such positive ways.
Nancy Walter
Elizabeth, Ed, and John, my deepest sympathies to you and your families at this time. Joan touched so many lives in so many ways and mine was one of them. She will be remembered fondly for her help at a trying time in my life. She always had a kind word and was always ready to talk horses! Joan, thank you for the memories.
Heather Ritzema
An integral part of the Huron equine community, Joan will be dearly missed.
May she Rest In Peace.
John & Pat Orphan
We are so sorry to know of Joan’s passing. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time. RIP Joan.
Sally and David Walker
So very sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. Her passion for worthy causes was infectious and she has left a wonderful legacy. Our heartfelt sympathy to her family. We sincerely regret that we are unable to attend her service, but Elizabeth and Ed, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim Burgsma
It’s been sad not to see Joan in her boots carting pails out to Kelly in recent months. We have fond memories of her heading down the road to care for her horses. Our sympathies are with you and we trust her memories will always warm your hearts and comfort you. Hugh and Kim.
Jennifer andChris Black
Many happy memories of you and husband coming in our corner mom.pop store you will be missed. Love and sympathy to the family
Jason Stright
I remember back when I was younger and you had the horse up in the backyard and I got up on the horse with Lisa and i fell off out beside the pool in your back yard . Had many memories going down to the horses out front down on the Flats after dads ball games . . You will be missed by many I’m glad to of met you and new who you were . Peace be with you and your family and friends.
karen sturdy
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS SHE WAS A GREAT LADY. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES. KAREN AND MIKE.
Deborah Delyea
So sorry for your loss,your mom was quite influential when i opened about supporting the christmas bureau,still do after 24 years,Deepest Condolences
Dave, Kathy, Kaitlyn and Braeden Duncan
So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. Many fond memories of her at the arena! Hugs Lisa and Ed and family, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Lu Anne Million-Kelly
I first met Joan when she attended training that I facilitated at the CAS here in Stratford. I loved Joan’s spirit, her wit and her sense of enthusiasm. I send my sincere sympathies to her family and friends.
Nancy and Junior White
We are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing…we will miss seeing her walking down the main street of Saltford with her pail in her hand……Our sincere sympathy to Joan’s family…..
Sue Swan
My deepest sympathy Elizabeth & Families . May she rest well forever in your hearts.
Laura Johnston
Chatted with Joan in the spring, on her horse over near my mailbox. So sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences and sympathy to you all.
Robyn Ross
Joan was a lovely friend. We had many moment to laugh, celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Thank you Joan.
Shirley Erb
To All of Joans Family and friends.
My Deepest Sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Delbert Shewfelt
Ed, Elizabeth, John and families my deepest sympathy. Joan was a very nice person and was very involved with her community and will be missed by many. May she RIP