Joan Leila Kershaw

Joan Leila (Smith) Kershaw, February 24, 1931 - February 7, 2024.

 Our family matriarch is gone but we won’t forget her; we loved her and will miss her. She was an individual first and foremost, well read and thoughtful, with deeply personal opinions about God, politics and the rights of individuals. She loved a good debate on many topics and wasn’t afraid of expressing herself. Growing up in the rural enclave of Blackwell, Ontario, she was a country girl at heart who could name all of her childhood neighbours and trace her ancestors back several generations. But she raised her family in the Sarnia home that she lived in for 66 years. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren but she rolled her eyes and sighed a lot when talking about the successes and idiosyncrasies of each of her loved children and spouses. A trip to the mouth of the St. Clair River, to watch the ships travel up and down, was a favourite past-time. She bowled every Tuesday until age 91, planted something anywhere there was space to watch it grow, watched for her birds and monarch butterflies, made the best Black Gold jam, sang for years in the church choir, and was a humble yet talented landscape artist. And we all will remember that she maintained a magical home where she let a lot of little ones (family and neighbours) run amok over the years.

 Predeceased by husband Harry Kershaw (2010); parents Leila and Carl Smith; 3 sisters (Janet, Dee, Sally); 2 brothers (Bill, Ron); son-in-law, Miro and great grandson, Titus. She is survived by daughter, Jo-Anne; sons Mike (Terri), Rick (Carol) and Bob (Lorrie); grandsons Michael & Christopher; Greg, Grant & Tom; Rob & Doug. And, great-grandchildren, Ria, Beckett & Quinn; Jasper, Griffin, Coen & Penny; Sophie, Vincent, Bruce & Layla; Owen, Liam, Boden & Kinley; Dalton, Jaxsyn & Preston; special brother-in-law, Bill Moorehouse, and several nieces and nephews.

 Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. A special thank you to all of the health workers who supported her over the past few months.

 Cremation has taken place and a family graveside service to follow.

 Arrangements entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St, Sarnia). Memories, photos or messages of condolence may be shared at www.djrobb.on.ca