It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Beatrice Grant, age 85, of New Glasgow, on Feb 28, 2022, at home. Joan was born in New Glasgow, a daughter of the late Mable (Yerxa) Fraser and the late Walter Fraser formerly of Priestville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Joan is the wife of Brigadier-General The Honourable JJ Grant CM, CMM, ONS, CD(Ret’d) former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
Joan attended Priestville School, New Glasgow High School and graduated from East Pictou Rural High School in 1953. She then attended Maritime Business College in New Glasgow in 1953 and qualified as Clerk –Typist.
During her school years she was involved in several sports and enjoyed skiing and skating as well being a Highland Dancer and one of the original drummers of the Ceilidh Girls Pipe Band. Joan had played tenor and bass drums and was their first Drum Major. This band performed for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a Royal visit to Halifax in 1951.
Joan had been employed at several businesses, MacLeod’s Market and E David and Sons both in New Glasgow and Blue Cross in Moncton, NB, prior to marrying Jim Grant in 1954 and starting their family. Once the children were grown, she worked in the office at JJ Grant Ltd for many years.
In 1964 she took up figure skating, eventually coaching and qualifying as a competition judge and judging for many years. Joan served with the Heather Figure Skating Club for 27 years and was on the executive for many of those years. She was also a member of the YMCA of Pictou County and for a period taught swimming to school children.
Joan was an executive member of the Mothers Club of the Pictou County Highland Dancers, serving as President (1977-1978). She also served as Highland Dancing Competition Chair for the Festival of the Tartans (1974-1978).
Joan was always supportive of all the activities her children were involved in and for many years drove Cubs, Scouts, hockey players, skaters, dancers and others to events around NS and later the Maritimes, at times piloting a huge 1960’s station wagon and later her VW Camper Van, that some may recall at dancing competitions.
Joan was a cancer survivor since the late 1970’s and rarely allowed her pain or discomfort to interfere with any activities she wanted to attend, either supporting Jim’s military career or their kids or grandchildren. She spent many hours in cold rinks for hockey games or speed skating competitions and hot Highland Games Fields when she eventually had two Pipes and Drums drummers, going as far away as Ontario. Additionally, she always had plenty of love and support for many extended family members.
She was a founding member of the Fraser Holmes Memorial Ladies’ Pipe Band and was the first Drum Major, as well as a tenor drummer. Joan performed at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo 1983,1984 and 1985 as well as many parades and a Highland Games in Georgia, USA.
Jim and Joan have travelled extensively, vacations all across Canada, Scotland, Germany, France, Bermuda, USA, Bahamas and more; also many conferences both business related and military.
A wonderful opportunity appeared in 2012 when Jim was appointed to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and they served as the Vice-Regal couple until 2017. Joan attended many events along with Jim and occasionally on her own to some such as at the IWK Hospital. This was a role that she sometimes said she would not have chosen for herself, but performed with grace and dedication, supporting Jim throughout and making us all very proud of them both. Joan and Jim truly appreciated all the wonderful staff members at Government House who were so attentive and treated them just like family members. They also have many fond memories of all the remarkable Nova Scotians they encountered during their travels throughout the province and at events at Government House.
Besides her husband Jim, Joan is survived by son Bob (Donna), New Glasgow; daughter Kirsten (Mike) Patterson, Fredericton, NB; grandchildren, Jamie Grant (Amy Fiske), Liverpool, NS; Scott Grant (Dawn McSweeney) Montreal; Kelsey Patterson (Steve Tong), Cole Harbour, NS; Ross Grant (Yanan Gou) Halifax; Devin Patterson, Fredericton, NB; sister Sylvia Kirwan, New Glasgow; sister-in-law Shirley Grant, New Glasgow.
Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her brother Bob Fraser; sons, Rob and Kerry and a daughter Susan in infancy; father-in-law George Grant; mother-in-law Dorothy Grant; brother-in-law Willie Kirwan.
As per Joan’s wishes there will be no funeral or visitation. A graveside committal service will be held later in the year.
Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, IWK Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home.