HIGSON, Joan Lesley (nee Little)

Passed away peacefully on Thursday January 20, 2022 at the Georgian Bay General Hospital, in Midland, Ontario after a brief illness.

One of eight children, Joan was born on May 16, 1935 in Glasgow, Scotland to Grace and William Little. In high school Joan was recognized as an exemplary student and athlete in both track events and on the field hockey pitch. In 1956, Joan immigrated to Canada where she settled and worked in Quebec City for a few years before moving to Toronto where she met Thomas Higson, her husband of 59 years.

Joan and Tom started their married life in Rexdale, and soon thereafter moved to Brampton where they spent more than 36 years establishing their home, raising their family and making many fond memories. After Tom’s retirement, they moved north and have been residents of Wasaga Beach for the past 16 years. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Joan also worked as a bookkeeper for a number of companies in Brampton. She also volunteered her time as a bookkeeper for two swim clubs that her children belonged to. In her free time, Joan loved to knit. She would lovingly make sweaters, hats and mittens, first for her children, and then for her grandchildren. On Sunday afternoons, Joan could be found in the kitchen preparing a traditional Sunday dinner of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and vegetables. At Christmas time, Joan loved to bake and share her special shortbread, fruit cake, trifle and mincemeat, and in the summertime she could be found in the garden or picking berries to make jams and marmalades. Many of her treats from the kitchen would find their way to her children and grandchildren in thoughtful care packages that she would pack that will be greatly missed.

Joan is survived by her beloved partner and husband Tom, her loving children Gregg (Ashley) Higson of Charlotte, NC and Allison (Sean) Cavanaugh of Traverse City, MI, her cherished grandchildren Sullivan and Elizabeth Higson and Piper and Brady Cavanaugh, and her siblings Elaine, Bryan, and Gavin, along with many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by siblings Kay, Shirley, Douglas, and Grahame, and her parents Grace and William Little. The family has made private funeral arrangements. If desired, a donation to the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank in Joan’s honor would be appreciated by her family. To sign her Book of Memories, please visit www.carruthersdavidson.com