Obituary for Joan Elizabeth Syratt (Wicks)
Joan Elizabeth Syratt
January 14, 1924-November 16, 2022
Granny blankets, ‘Fluff’ and love…just a few of the special things that make us think of her.
Surrounded by family and an enormous amount of love, Joan left us, after battling a short illness. She was the beloved wife, (for just over 61 years), of the late Harry Syratt. She was the wonderful mother of Norm (d), Donna Gaye (d) and Joe, Helen and Jim, John and Leith, Dianne and Gil, Lorraine and Fred (d) and Valerie and Brad. She was the proud Grandmother of 25, Great-Grandmother of 24 and the Great-Great-Grandmother of five, plus one on the way. She was also a treasured aunt, cousin and friend to so many. She loved her large family.
Joan was born in Bournemouth, England. She grew up with six siblings and, as she always told us, two amazing parents and, despite the difficult times, had a wonderful childhood. The war years were trying in southern England, but Joan did her part by becoming a Fire Warden. She loved going to the local Palais to dance to her favourite Big Band music and stated that “even though there was a war on, we still had a good time”. That positive attitude stayed with her throughout her entire life and gave her the bright smile and twinkle in her eye that we all loved.
In 1948, Joan married the love of her life, Harry. Nine years later, with six kids in tow, they made the move to Canada, finally settling in small town Newmarket in 1958. Even though it was challenging at times, she always stated that it was the best decision they ever made. She loved this country and was very proud to be Canadian.
Once her kids got older, she got a job in the stock room at Zellers. She was so good at what she did, she became the Stock Room Manager when the store moved to Upper Canada Mall. Joan eventually retired so she could have more freedom to travel. Trips across the pond and many other special adventures were things she looked forward to every year.
Joan was a passionate knitter and, over the years, made Granny Blankets for every member of the family. You knew you were in when you received one. Baby outfits, sweaters, hats and more were all made by her hands. Knitting was second nature to her, to the point where she could knit while watching tv and reading a book (she was a voracious reader), all at the same time. Her passion for knitting expanded when she began searching for vintage dolls, cleaned them up, knitted special outfits for them and then entered annual seasonal craft shows where she sold her work. She would do it all for pure enjoyment and always did very well. She even had repeat customers. Some people sought her out for custom knitting work and that gave her great pleasure.
She loved to dance and, up until she was 93, attended weekly line dancing classes and was always the life of the party. Visiting casinos was a favourite pastime for Joan, especially the slots, and she usually did quite well. Playing games was something she always looked forward to and her dining room was set up for any occasion to do so. It didn’t seem to matter who you were, if you showed interest in playing games she would invite you over and then it would become a regular occurrence.
She enjoyed being silly, laughed easily and told the best stories. She delighted so many with her memories and it made us all realize just what an adventure her life had really been.
Family was so important to Joan and her ‘Fluff’ dessert became a tradition at family gatherings and was the requested item on the menu. She was always so pleased when even her great-grandchildren asked her to make it for them.
Joan loved her large crew and treasured all of the time she had with each member. She always felt so fortunate to have so many call her, or pop in, or offer to help in any way. We were there for her just as she was always there for us, whether it was as a cheerleader, as a fan, or even to pray for us. Joan knew that she was loved but she gave back so much more. She was our centre, our family’s Matriarch and we were so fortunate to have had her in our lives for so long. Her loss leaves an inexpressible void, but her goodness, her caring and her smile will live on, like a legacy of love, that will always be with us.
A celebration of Joan’s life will take place on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St., S., Newmarket. Family receiving will begin at 1 pm with a service and reception to follow at 3 pm. The service will be live streamed for all those who are not able to attend in person, Click Here to Watch the Service Live Stream.
As per Joan’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association or to the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.”
January 14, 1924-November 16, 2022
Granny blankets, ‘Fluff’ and love…just a few of the special things that make us think of her.
Surrounded by family and an enormous amount of love, Joan left us, after battling a short illness. She was the beloved wife, (for just over 61 years), of the late Harry Syratt. She was the wonderful mother of Norm (d), Donna Gaye (d) and Joe, Helen and Jim, John and Leith, Dianne and Gil, Lorraine and Fred (d) and Valerie and Brad. She was the proud Grandmother of 25, Great-Grandmother of 24 and the Great-Great-Grandmother of five, plus one on the way. She was also a treasured aunt, cousin and friend to so many. She loved her large family.
Joan was born in Bournemouth, England. She grew up with six siblings and, as she always told us, two amazing parents and, despite the difficult times, had a wonderful childhood. The war years were trying in southern England, but Joan did her part by becoming a Fire Warden. She loved going to the local Palais to dance to her favourite Big Band music and stated that “even though there was a war on, we still had a good time”. That positive attitude stayed with her throughout her entire life and gave her the bright smile and twinkle in her eye that we all loved.
In 1948, Joan married the love of her life, Harry. Nine years later, with six kids in tow, they made the move to Canada, finally settling in small town Newmarket in 1958. Even though it was challenging at times, she always stated that it was the best decision they ever made. She loved this country and was very proud to be Canadian.
Once her kids got older, she got a job in the stock room at Zellers. She was so good at what she did, she became the Stock Room Manager when the store moved to Upper Canada Mall. Joan eventually retired so she could have more freedom to travel. Trips across the pond and many other special adventures were things she looked forward to every year.
Joan was a passionate knitter and, over the years, made Granny Blankets for every member of the family. You knew you were in when you received one. Baby outfits, sweaters, hats and more were all made by her hands. Knitting was second nature to her, to the point where she could knit while watching tv and reading a book (she was a voracious reader), all at the same time. Her passion for knitting expanded when she began searching for vintage dolls, cleaned them up, knitted special outfits for them and then entered annual seasonal craft shows where she sold her work. She would do it all for pure enjoyment and always did very well. She even had repeat customers. Some people sought her out for custom knitting work and that gave her great pleasure.
She loved to dance and, up until she was 93, attended weekly line dancing classes and was always the life of the party. Visiting casinos was a favourite pastime for Joan, especially the slots, and she usually did quite well. Playing games was something she always looked forward to and her dining room was set up for any occasion to do so. It didn’t seem to matter who you were, if you showed interest in playing games she would invite you over and then it would become a regular occurrence.
She enjoyed being silly, laughed easily and told the best stories. She delighted so many with her memories and it made us all realize just what an adventure her life had really been.
Family was so important to Joan and her ‘Fluff’ dessert became a tradition at family gatherings and was the requested item on the menu. She was always so pleased when even her great-grandchildren asked her to make it for them.
Joan loved her large crew and treasured all of the time she had with each member. She always felt so fortunate to have so many call her, or pop in, or offer to help in any way. We were there for her just as she was always there for us, whether it was as a cheerleader, as a fan, or even to pray for us. Joan knew that she was loved but she gave back so much more. She was our centre, our family’s Matriarch and we were so fortunate to have had her in our lives for so long. Her loss leaves an inexpressible void, but her goodness, her caring and her smile will live on, like a legacy of love, that will always be with us.
A celebration of Joan’s life will take place on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St., S., Newmarket. Family receiving will begin at 1 pm with a service and reception to follow at 3 pm. The service will be live streamed for all those who are not able to attend in person, Click Here to Watch the Service Live Stream.
As per Joan’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association or to the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.”