Joan Cochrane
elevated OghA1 February 7, 1930 – March 24, 2022
elevated OghA1 Life Story
elevated OghA1 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Cochrane. God called onto Joan on Thursday, March 24, 2022 and she passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She leaves behind her beloved sisters Colleen and Zena (Predeceased James Crescenzi) . Predeceased by her beloved brother Richmond (Dolly). Adored aunt of Clare (Brian), Peter, Barry (Elaine), Steve, Britney and Amanda. Cherished cousin of Malcolm. Joan will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all her extended family and friends. My she rest in peace.
Joan was my Institute of Chartered Accountants secretary for almost all of my 23 years as its President and CEO. Many readers will know that she and her sister Colleen were more than friends to me — both became the treasured sisters I never had.
Joan was as competent and loyal a secretary as one could ever hope for, and my oh my, did I ever appreciate her ability to size up people and give me sound advice. She also was a daily contact for ICAO’s tight-knit staff and volunteer leaders, members and students throughout Ontario and was an esteemed point of contact for leaders of CICA, other provincial Institutes and even in Ireland, Scotland as well as the US. Testimony to her dedication to her unique role, she stayed on for a number of years after her normal retirement date. Including her years with my predecessor she served ICAO for over 30 years.
And she was sweet, as is dear Colleen. They have fostered that sweetness in their wonderful niece, Clare Bailey. Close to them throughout her entire life, Clare was a tireless caregiver to Joan in her later years’ illnesses, caring for her 24/7 in her home in the last several years.
Joan and Colleen were generous hosts when I passed through Toronto on frequent Dublin-Windsor-Dublin trips after I retired. In the more than two years of self-isolation since February, 2001 I have taken great pleasure from my photo albums of ICAO events and retirement travels which include lots of pictures with Joan and Colleen. They will be all the more treasured now. The travel photos include good coverage of the post-retirement trips we took together, including an extensive land tour of the Island of Ireland, an extensive European land trip that pretty much provided a parallel to our magnificent Rhine-Danube river cruises and a Baltic Sea ocean cruise. What a lot of good times we had!
Joan enjoyed many other travels, too, The one that comes most quickly to mind was participating in a Middle East ‘dig’, archaeology being the subject of one of the many U Toronto night courses she took during her working years. Devout members of their church and generous supporters of charities, it is a comfort that Joan’s life was happy and contented, as is Colleen’s.
As so many of us mourn Joan’s passing, my thoughts will especially turn also to Colleen and Clare. I hope they will find comfort in their knowledge that Joan had a full and happy life and is now at peace. They have many memories to draw upon as they adjust to living without her daily presence.
David Wilson
elevated OghA1 Visitation
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
elevated OghA1 Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated OghA1 Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
elevated OghA1 Private Interment
To our dearest friend and colleague. The heavens have welcomed a new Angel into heaven. Rest in the Lords house in peace my friend. You will be missed by all who knew you and loved you.
Louine and Freddy Franco
To my dear colleague: You will be missed by all who knew you. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Hyacinth
For me it has been a long time…I am saddened by Joan’s passing.
Dave Wilson’s notice gave me pause to reminisce… Joan was an “influencer” before ‘it was a “thing”‘.
I will live in the knowledge that Joan lived a full and happy life with many shared memories with family and friends.
With God now… she will ever always be in our hearts and our memories.
Joan was one of the kindest people I have ever known. I have many fond memories of working with Joan at ICAO and our continuing friendship after her retirement. Rest in peace my lovely friend.
I was saddened to learn of Joan’s passing. I was only 19 when I started working at ICAO many, many years ago and Joan was one of the first people I met. She made such an impression on me with her welcoming smile and kindness that continued throughout the years. I thought of her often. Condolences to her family. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.
So sad to hear of Joan’s passing.
She was a friend and supportive colleague for many, many years. A friendly, smiling face that was so uplifting and appreciated. I loved hearing about her world travels and all of the great and unique experiences. My sincere sympathies go out to her family.
Safe travels Joan, on this, your final journey.
I was sad to hear about Joan’s passing. She was a lovely person, so kind and supportive. Always had a smile for everybody. My condolences to her family. RIP Joan
I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing and extend my deepest condolences to the family. I have very fond memories of Joan from our time together at the ICAO. She was so well respected at work, and played such a pivotal role there. More importantly, she was such a lovely person, endearing herself to everyone with her kindness and friendliness. I enjoyed our talks together so much, including hearing about her family whom she adored and her delight in her very young (at the time) great-nieces. Rest in peace, Joan.
What a blessing to have known Joan during my time at the Institute.
Although we mourn her passing, I know in my talks with her that she
is in a better place sharing her rays of sunshine. I pray comfort and
support and peace for her family.
Joan was a treasure. Her warmth and understanding made the work environment one to enjoy and her competence made it go easier. The shock of learning of her passing has jolted memories of her positive influence on my experiences. There were many good Indian and Chinese lunches and fascinating tales of her growing up in northern India – mountains, convent schools and tigers! I note the picture of her above clearly shows a halo – her angel qualities shine through.