Joan McKee (nee Greenwood)

May 26, 1943 - November 14, 2023, passed away peacefully in her 81st year, with family and friends by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Tom McKee and her sister and brother-in-law, William and Marion Tait. Joan will be sadly missed by her step-children Ken (Anne), Debbie Russell (Gord), Kerry (Phil Ball), Colleen MacRae (Rob), Brad (Lesli) and Brian. She will also be missed by her niece and nephew, David Tait (Terri) and Hazel Packard (Kerry) of Australia as well as 16 loving grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.  

Originally from Lancashire, England, Joan arrived in Canada in the fall of 1965 and quickly joined the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as a teller. She had lofty aspirations though, and rose through the ranks over the decades, eventually becoming Vice-President of Human Resources before retiring in 1999.

Joan did not let retirement slow her down. She loved sports, especially golf, and shot not one, but two holes-in-one, much to the chagrin of her husband Tom. When she wasn’t out on the links in Canada or Florida, she enjoyed watching the latest PGA or LPGA tournament, professional tennis or a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game. When back in Canada, she could often be found at a hockey/skating arena, ball diamond or dance recital supporting one of her many grandchildren.  

Joan set an excellent example of what it means to be a step-mother, embracing Tom’s large family. Together with Tom and his former wife, Eleanor, Joan was a rock-steady co-parent for our widely dispersed Canadian-American family. She also had many friends and loved to plan and host a party, often setting the table days in advance of the actual celebration. 

The family would like to extend our thanks to Paulette Paul for her attentive and compassionate care of Joan during her illness, and to the medical team and volunteers at the Margaret Bahen Hospice, who always made Joan feel special. It was said that Joan often made them laugh during these past few months and in return, the same can be said for how Joan was “lifted” by such incredibly positive and attentive care. 

A special thanks also goes out to Joan’s friends and extended family members who often visited and shared their kindness with Joan over these last few months. Your support was a true blessing and very much appreciated. 

In keeping with Joan’s wishes, cremation has already taken place. A Celebration of Life service is planned for the spring of 2024, with a specific date to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket
https://www.myhospice.ca/support-my-hospice/

 or the Canadian Cancer Society  

https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation

would be greatly appreciated.