Obituary of Joan Mary Reynolds

Joan Mary Reynolds

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Mary Reynolds (nee Manual) who passed peacefully at dawn on November 17, 2024, with her loving children by her side. 

Joan was born in Toronto on March 24, 1929, to Frank and Jesse Manual (nee Neal) and raised on Ossington Ave. with her two younger sisters Gwendolyn and Marjorie. Joan married William Reynolds in 1952. They raised their family in Scarborough, Ontario. 

She was a proud retiree from Bell Canada, where she participated in the Union and regularly volunteered throughout her career with The Telephone Pioneers of America, supporting the underprivileged of Toronto. The Scott Mission and the Toronto Star Children’s Wish Fund were close to her heart. 

Joan enjoyed the sunshine on her face, crossword puzzles, a glass of red wine and life on the water, a characteristic she, and her family, inherited from her father’s Newfie blood. She was a voracious reader, an avid bird watcher and enjoyed travelling. She was a wise woman who knew how to peacefully navigate storms. She was never one to complain, a skill she learned from her stoic British mother. 

Joan was strong, smart, informed and held her own council, while creating the structure that supported us all and held us together. Most importantly to her family and friends Joan was the matriarch of a loving and welcoming home whose door was always open to all.  

Mom is survived by her sister Marjorie, her 5 children; Peter, Michael (Shelley), Susie (Fred), Vikki (Brian) and Nancy (David), 8 grandchildren; David, John, Mat, Elizabeth, Jim, Dan, Bob, Sam, 6 great- grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.  

As per Joan’s wishes, a private Anglican funeral service will be held at the Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Bowmanville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to the Scott Mission.