VanDuzer, Joan Elizabeth, O.Ont.
VANDUZER, Joan Elizabeth, O.Ont.
Nov. 26, 1940 – Nov. 17, 2024
To say Joan Elizabeth VanDuzer (née Lawson) was a dynamo would be to hugely understate the truth. Though she occupied a modest amount of physical space, her presence and influence were disproportionately remarkable. Born in London, Ontario, where she grew up at Woodholme on the city’s then outskirts, Joan completed her undergrad degree (B.Sc, Queen’s University, 1962) and set off on a trip to Egypt with Crossroads International in 1963. That experience led to a lifelong love of travel and of concern for people and places across the planet. She taught in England and Toronto before moving to Hamilton to raise her family. Her firm belief in inclusiveness, culture and community prompted her to serve as President of the Lawson Foundation in the ‘90s, and then to start her own Harbinger Foundation; these two philanthropic organizations have helped thousands of Canadians, with Harbinger alone granting over $15 million across three decades. Marshalling her boundless energy, Joan somehow completed a M.Ed and then received her Dipl. Journalism alongside her work with Lawson and Harbinger, and the demands of coordinating a large blended family. Nor was that all: Ashoka was an organization about which she was passionate, and she created an organic farm and was a fixture for several years at the Creemore Farmers Market and delivering CSA baskets. She was also dedicated to supporting Canada’s Indigenous community and listening to its wisdom. Joan was made a Member of the Order of Ontario in 2022.
Arts, music and the company of family and friends were essential to her world. For Joan, generosity was second nature and was extended to everyone in her orbit. But perhaps most importantly, Joan loved people and loved creating connections between them; this may have been her greatest gift, throughout a long life of innumerable kind and caring impulses.
Daughter of Miggsie and Col. Tom Lawson; predeceased by her second husband, The Honourable John E. VanDuzer; surviving siblings Connie Gardiner, Marilyn Snook and Peter Lawson. Survived also by first husband, Barry Wansbrough, children Michael (Liane), Connie, Gwyn (Andres); step-children Tony VanDuzer (Heather), Peter VanDuzer (Kathy), and Sarah VanDuzer (Oya); grandchildren Taylor (Graham), Eli, Anders (Anabelle), Mac, Simone (Chidi), Claire, Diego, Daniela, Ben, Kate, Victor; step-grandchildren Melissa (Kevin) and Kaitlin (Nicole); great grandchildren Atticus, Benton, Elliot.
She never stopped learning. She never stopped caring. And we will never stop missing her, as a beloved inspiration to us all.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Mt. Pleasant Funeral Centre in Toronto on Sunday, November 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers or to honour Joan’s boundless caring for others, we ask that you donate to Raising the Roof/Chez Toit at info@raisingtheroof.org.
