MARGARET JOAN FRANCIS SHEPPARD

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MARGARET JOAN FRANCIS SHEPPARD Peacefully at home in Collingwood, Ontario, on Monday, January 30, 2012, in her 90th year. Only daughter of Noel and Peggy Francis, late of Winnipeg, Canada, and Nottingham, England. Loving mother of Judith Sheppard of Collingwood, Patricia Ebright (George) of Riverside, Illinois, and Penelope Johnston (Brian) of Portland, Oregon. Grandmum of Jessica Cotton Polzl (Michael) of Waterloo, Ontario, and Geordie Ebright. Proud Great-Grandmum of Chloe and Blake Polzl. Joan was born on March 28, 1922, in Montreal. She lived for many years in Winnipeg before her family moved to Nottingham in 1938. She was an accomplished athlete - Manitoba springboard diving champion, Games Captain of Rupert's Land College, ballet dancer, gymnast, beautiful swimmer and skater. She was also a pianist and lover of the arts and literature. During the Second World War, Joan worked at Canada House in London. In 1946, she returned to Canada as a War Bride and young mother to live in Toronto. In addition to raising her three daughters, Joan was a dedicated volunteer at the Toronto Humane Society for 36 years. She was President of the Women's Division from 1973 to 1979, raising funds for the Society. She was also President of the Allenby Home and School Association from 1962 to 1967. In 1989, Joan bought Belvedere Cottage in Collingwood. She adored her 1875 Regency Cottage and gradually transitioned from Toronto to become a full time resident. As Lady B , she was the center of a busy house, full of family and friends coming and going. She was active in the early days of the Collingwood and District Humane Society and Life Long Learning. Joan will be remembered for her passion for animals, her sense of humour, her personal strength and her love for her family and friends. A private Celebration of Joan's vibrant life has been held to honour her memory. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society would be appreciated by the family: www.gths.ca, 549 10th Line, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 0W1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2012