Joan was the beloved wife and partner of the late Donald S. (Dusty) Miller (1930-2015) and much-loved wife and dearest friend of the late James Wiggins (Jim) Tremain (1931-2022).
Joan died on her own terms, surrounded by her four boys, with the love and support of her extended family.
Mom was the loving and encouraging Miller Team Captain to her sons, John (Joy), Donald (Susan Clarke), Brian, and Philip (Gerry) and adored Grandmummy of Jared Miller (Beth), Jennifer Miller (Johnny Sa), Elizabeth Miller (Adam McLaughlin), Jana Miller (Jordan de Souza), Brent Miller (Chelsey Charalambidis), the late Alexander (Sandy) Miller, Laura Miller (Michael Sims), and Julia Miller (Steven Kung). And she was the much-loved and very special Great-Grandmummy to Elyse and Caleb Miller; Finn Sa, Michelle (Shelley), Douglas and Robert Mclaughlin; Beatrice and Theodore de Souza; and Jonah Miller.
Joan was the kid sister of Dr. Donald Delahaye (Mary née Walker; Mabs née Holden) and will be greatly missed by the Kingston Delahaye family. She will be fondly remembered, as well, by her step-daughters, Trish Tremain-Wiberg (Sven Wiberg) and Daryl Tremain (Stephen Bonnycastle) and by Jennifer and Brent's mom, Doris Thomas.
Joan was born and raised in Kingston and her parents were Dr. John (Jack) and Marjorie Delahaye. She attended Queen's University (Artsci/BA '53) and met Dusty who was attending the Royal Military College (RMC). Joan and Dusty raised their family, first on the RCAF Base (4 Wing) in Germany, for two years in Kingston, and then in St. Lambert, Quebec. Joan loved children and sports and, after having her family, she completed her teaching certification (ECE) at McGill to teach elementary school Physical Education. Joan and Dusty retired in Kingston on Cartwright Point, the setting for many happy family reunions.
All of her life, Joan was an avid sports fan, competitive sportswoman, and outdoor enthusiast. She was on many sports teams in high school (basketball, lacrosse, and swimming) and was a Queen's University athlete (Intercollegiate Diving Champion). She loved music, tennis, curling, bridge, and especially swimming and windsurfing at Cartwright Point. She had a passion for travel and adventure and, as a grandmother, went to Outward Bound and Camp Nominingue. And, she loved wildlife and all of the family feline and canine members.
Most of all, Joan will be remembered for her modern open-mindedness, progressive views, her love of meeting people, and her sense of adventure and fun. She was always focused on caring for her family and she will be deeply missed and fondly remembered forever by her family and many friends.
Our sincere appreciation to Dr. Heather Galbraith and Dr. Viren Naik for their kindness and care. There will be a memorial tree designation for Joan in Kingston, a family Celebration of Joan's Life, and a family memorial at Beechwood National Cemetery. Should family and friends wish to honour Joan's memory with a donation, our family would be grateful if you would consider a charitable contribution to the United Hospitals Kingston Foundation (Pediatrics-NICU), the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, or the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF).
When the one Great Scorer comes to mark against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost, But how you played the Game.