Joan Grandfield

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Wife, Mom, Nana and Great Nana, following a brief illness.  Joan Catherine Grandfield passed away peacefully, on March 16, 2026, at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital surrounded by her husband Jon and her three children Wendy Uhde, Beth Grandfield, and Scott Grandfield. 

Joan was born December 25, 1939 to Harry and Marion Vila (nee Harvey) and was predeceased by her sister Ruth Rightmyer.  Joan (Nana) was a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren, Sadie Lees(Derek), Halle Mortimer(Nick), Eric Uhde(Valerie), Cameron Grandfield, Owen Grandfield, Isla Grandfield and great grandson Niko Lees.  Scott's wife Alexandra and Wendy's husband Ralph were very special people to her. Joan will be remembered by her Vila cousins and extended Vila family, with whom she shared many fun times throughout her life. Also fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews and her best friend Opal.

 Joan and Jon were married for 63 years and best friends and companions for 70 years.

Joan graduated from Westdale Collegiate in Hamilton and then from the Hospital For Sick Children school of nursing as a RN, specializing in Obstetrics.

Joan will be remembered for the deep love she had for her family, her friends and her community.  Spending time with family, especially the babies and her grandchildren, was her greatest pleasure, particularly in her later years when her limited eyesight had taken away many of her pastimes and hobbies.  For many years, she created beautiful crafts and handiwork for friends and family, including knitting, crocheting, pressed flower art, beautiful handmade greeting cards and so many other craft projects.  Joan was deeply connected to her church, Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton in her younger years and Knox United Church in Port Sydney following the family’s move to Muskoka.  She worked hard to support the church and her community through her work with the UCW. She also supported other community groups, acting as a Girl Guide leader and teaching babysitting courses to local youth.  Joan worked to support the Canadian Cancer Society over the years through canvassing and fundraisers, the Meals on Wheels program and local community fundraisers like the Annual Turkey Dinner. Community involvement and giving back to the community of Port Sydney were deeply held priorities for Joan.

Joan always enjoyed an active lifestyle, walking daily though Port Sydney, or joining her swimming group for a late afternoon swim at the beach.  We used to joke that she knew everyone in Port Sydney as every car going by got a wave and a smile. As her eyesight began to limit her walking, she spent her time beating everyone at Scrabble, Words with Friends and her daily crossword puzzling prowess.

Together with Jon, they enjoyed many years of travel – visiting all of the provinces in Canada (with the exception of Nunavut) and many of the US states.  Their winters in Florida were spent sharing many fun activities, meals and friendship with the community built there and enjoyed for many years.   Summers in Muskoka were filled with Algonquin canoe trips, French River canoe trips and boating days spent on Georgian Bay and the Muskoka Lakes.

Thank you to all of the doctors and nursing staff at Huntsville Hospital, who took such gentle and compassionate care of our Mom/Joan throughout her stay. 

Joan’s beautiful smile will be forever missed by so many friends and family members.  We will always remember her warmth, kindness and the selfless support she gave to all lucky enough to know her.   Forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life for Joan will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Foundation is suggested.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Grandfield, please visit our floral store.