Joan Alberta Leighton (nee Noyes), our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend has slipped the bonds of this Earth and died peacefully under the loving wings of Hospice care on Thursday December 15, 2022. Her brilliant warm smile and joyful, welcoming spirit embodied hospitality, generosity and a genuine interest in people. Joan retired to Victoria in 2006 after a successful real estate career in Toronto where she evolved from agent to broker to becoming a Fellow and finished with a flourish in management. While she adored spending time at her Kintail cottage on the beaches of Lake Huron, it was time to discover a new chapter on the west coast. With an effervescence and natural mirth, Joan was always game for adventure, her laughter woven into the very fabric of our lives. Born on May 30^th, 1929 in London, Ontario to Bertie Olwen Williams (Bow) and Gerald Haighton Noyes, Joan was one of three sisters who happily grew up in the woodlands surrounding their farm at RR4. She is survived by her three children from late ex-husband John (Jack) Leighton: Anthony John Leighton (Leslie Cameron), Lisa Ann Leighton (Mark Heine) and Hilary Jane Leighton (who lived with her these past 17 years alongside their four-legged companion, Beau), and by her two grandchildren, Maxwell Anthony Leighton (Joanna Tulloch) and Zachary Taylor Leighton (Laura Leighton) and great-grandsons, Lewis Henry and Grey Michael with baby sister on the way, and her sister, Mrs. Constance Mooney from Ottawa. Joanie was dearly loved by her many cousins, nieces and nephews in both Canada and Virginia, and the many friends she met and made along the way in both Ontario and Victoria, BC. Her dear sister and best friend, Naomi Blay predeceased her by a few years and yet was always close by in the last days helping her little sister find her way home. The world dims slightly as this bright soul has flown to those who went on ahead. We are all the better for having loved and been loved by such a strong, gracious, beautiful woman. This season, please raise a glass of cheer to Joan!

Our thanks to Dr. Mark Pearce and Sandra at Saanich Medical Clinic, VIHA nurses, Hospice doctors and nurses and Comfort Keepers (Sheryl and Dixie) for expert care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to BCSPCA or The Mustard Seed Food Bank. Helping those without a human voice and feeding those in need, were her passions.

So long Mom, and thanks for all the fish!

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