Obituary of Joan Marie Burgess

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Joan Marie Burgess, age 84, of Lakelands, on Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, in Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Born in Liverpool and raised in Windsor, she was the daughter of the late C. Donald and Lillian (Goodwin) Dill.

Joan graduated in 1959 from Normal College in Truro and began her passion of teaching at the Three Mile Plains Elementary School. After teaching in Dartmouth for a number of years, she finished off her teaching career at Uniacke District School. Joan always felt that she had found her calling teaching, with many friendships and relationships being created throughout her career and well past retirement. Reconnecting with former students always brought a smile to her face, as she would listen intently to catch up on their latest news. Over the years, we were often told how our mother had been so much more than just a teacher. She truly loved and treated her students the same way that she loved and treated her own children.

Joan had a strong sense of community. She was always quick to jump in and give a helping hand, whether at a fire department event, church event or at one of the many groups that she was involved in over the years.

She lived her life with a heart full of gratitude. She often expressed how grateful she was for the opportunities she had to travel different parts of the world with Eric, friends and family. Many of her favourite memories were made at Canaveral Towers in Florida with family and wonderful friends.

Mom’s greatest passion was spending time with her family. She was a wonderful and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. There was nothing she loved more than family gatherings or to see a loved one walk through the door. You were sure to get a big hug and you’d never leave with an empty belly. She was truly a gift to our family.

Joan is survived by her two children, son, Michael (Shobha) Burgess; daughter, Sherri (Stephen) Hartt; former daughter-in-law, Donna Rice. She will be dearly missed by her six grandchildren, Andrew (Nakita), Justin (Sarah) and Dillan (Breanna) Hartt, Kyle Burgess, Megan (Matt) Dunn and Jake Cusack; her three step-grandchildren, Nyssa (Josh), Sonja (Tiam) and Mikal Gashus; seven cherished great-grandchildren, Maddie and Sophie Dunn, Kamden Kennedy, Hudson, Wyatt, Paislee and Eli Hartt; as well as many special nieces and nephews. She was a devoted and loving sister who always looked forward to sister outings and celebrations. She is also survived by sisters, Jean Chambers, Donna Foley and Diane (Robie) Carty.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Eric Burgess; granddaughter, Michaela Hartt; brothers, Fred Goodwin and Ronald Newell; sister-in-law, Norma Thompson; brothers-in-law, Tom Thompson, Arthur Chambers, Howard Burgess, Harley Burgess and Norman Foley.

Our family feels very blessed for the amazing care that our mother received throughout her journey. We could not have asked for more compassion or quality care for our loved one and would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the individuals who were involved in her care.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where a funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, April 26 in the funeral home chapel, Rev. Lori Crocker officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the funeral home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre. Interment will be held in Brookside Bedford Community Cemetery, 18 Wardour St., Bedford. Donations in memory of Joan may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.