Joan Boswell

JOAN BOSWELL

(Nee Young)

After a life truly well lived and filled with many adventures, accomplishments, and contributions to her community, Joan left this world peacefully in the early morning hours of July 28th, 2018, a few weeks shy of her 80th birthday. The world lost an elegant, independent, intelligent, compassionate, respectful and beautiful woman.

Joan spent her childhood moving throughout Canada with the various military postings of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Young. As a result, she grew up to be an incredibly independent person who had an amazing ability to adapt to new scenarios. Her fierce independence was one of her great strengths, but it did not prevent her from falling in love with her UNB sweetheart, Ted Boswell, and build a life with Ted over their forty-three happy years of marriage. Ted and Joan had an incredible ride as they pursued careers, raised their 4 boys, travelled the world, and were involved in many aspects of Ottawa life. Sadly, Ted passed away too young in 2004 and since then Joan focused her attention on family and on her many incredible and loving friends in Ottawa, Toronto, Fort Myers, Lake of Bays and around the world. Joan leaves behind her younger brother, John Young; her four sons: Chris (Kelly), Marc (Carol), David (Michelle), and Matthew (Amanda); and her seven grandchildren: Nick, Katie, Francis, Trevor, Christy, Brendan and Tyler.

Joan had many and varied academic and professional accomplishments. Having earned a B.A. (Hons.) and then a Teaching Certificate, she worked in a one-room schoolhouse on the Six Nations Oneida Territory. Later, she obtained an M.A. in Canadian Studies and then a Ph.D. in Canadian history. She earned these degrees while also raising 4 mischievous boys - quite an accomplishment. In the 80s she worked at the former Ministry of Indian Affairs in the federal government. Later, Joan obtained a B.F.A. and pursued a career as a painter. Perhaps her most well known accomplishment in this aspect of her life was having one of her paintings appear in an episode of "Seinfeld" in the 90s. She continued to paint until shortly before her death.

Joan was also a talented author and in the early 90s she and a group of great friends formed a murder-mystery writing group called the "Ladies Killing Circle". This group edited and published several short story anthologies.

Joan also wrote and published four novels of her own. Among other awards, in 2000 she won the Toronto Sunday Star short story writing contest for her story about a pig, a sauna and a murder.

Joan was a true dog-lover and was never without at least one four-legged friend. Not long ago she could be seen out walking her 3 flat-coated retrievers, all together!

Joan found time to give back to her community throughout her life by volunteering and giving to many organizations, trying to make the world a better place. As an example, we will always remember the many nights when she went off to answer the phones at the Ottawa Distress Centre during the overnight shift.

Many thanks to the incredible staff at the Ottawa Hospital (8 West) and the compassionate and caring palliative team at the Elisabeth Bruyere for taking care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers, please go and do something to make the world a better place - she would be so happy to know you were doing that in her honour.

A celebration of Joan's life will take place in Ottawa in the Fall.