Joan DeShane Obituary
Joan Noreen DeShane passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 13th, 2025 at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario.
Loving aunt of Peter DeShane (Jen Wilkins), and great-aunt to their children, Barron and Raphael. Loving aunt-in-law of Wendy Sperry (John Magill) and her son, Joshua Gall (Ho Yeon Kim), and their children, Edward and Yuna.
Born prematurely and without certainty that she would survive on April 13th, 1936, Noreen, as she was commonly known, ended up living a life full of quiet generosity and compassion until the age of 89. Her entire professional career was spent with Hay Stationery, where she began working as a secretary after high school and eventually rose to the position of president of the company. Her love and dedication to the Grand Theatre will be remembered by her early years of volunteer work when it was still an amateur theater, building sets and helping with costumes, and, later, as a financial benefactor while it transformed into a world-renowned professional theatre. This generosity was also felt through her charitable work with the Jack and Barbara Hay Foundation, which helps to provide funding for specific projects which benefit the citizens of London and surrounding regions.
Throughout her life, Noreen's favourite place to spend her leisure time was the family's cottage at Long Point, where she enjoyed reading, spending time with family and entertaining her closest friends (Ed, David and Alex, among others). She was an avid fan of science fiction and the paranormal, watching boxing and UFC.
The family would like to acknowledge the extraordinary care provided by her support workers - Kim, Sharla, Maureen and Krista - who provided love and friendship to her throughout her senior years and allowed her to remain comfortably in her family house until her final days.
Visitation will be held on Saturday July 19th, 2025 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home from 10-11am followed by a service at 11am in the chapel.
Memorial donations may be made to The Grand Theatre.
