Carolyn was a good friend of my mother, as both a fellow artist and a social travelling partner! Herein lies the text of her beautiful tribute: "I am not sure that words alone can sum up a life, especially one as vast and inspiring as Joan’s. There was so much about her, as a human being and as an artist, that was intriguing. She was complex, exciting and vibrant. Bright. Energetic. Free-spirited. It was these traits that enabled her to contribute so much to our community through over 40 years of working in the arts field. There can be no doubt of either Joan’s intelligence or of her perseverance in developing and supporting the local art community. Joan was a person of strong conviction, especially when it came to her love of art. I can recall a class we attended, where in her determination to finish a painting she placidly ignored requests to clean up the studio until she had achieved the intended goal. Joan’s style and sense of fashion were legendary. I recall with fond amusement our friendly rivalry over who had the ‘glitziest’ rings. These early memories take me smile, because with the benefit of hindsight I can see that her focus and attention to detail came, not from ego, but from a profound desire to beautify the world. Her strength and selflessness in pursuit of this ideal are to be admired and will carry on through her impact on our community. Joan had talent in many media: pastels, watercolours, acrylics, batik and jewelry making. She was also a gifted poet and writer who had a great appreciation for theatre. Her creativity was rooted in a confidence that benefited all who knew her. There was a fearlessness about Joan that enabled her to promote beauty in our community. Her character and dynamism extended beyond artistic skill and into organizational know-how. People in the field know that often the organizers of art shows are not looked upon favorably by exhibitors. Joan was a towering exception to that rule. As founder and organizer of the Fanfayr Juried Outdoor Art and Crafts Show, she promoted the material and personal well-being of local and distant artists. Her insistence that those presenting their works be referred to as “artists "and not “vendors" underlined not only her support for her exhibitors but her profound understanding of the value of the arts and artists to society: a belief that these are intrinsic parts of our cultural and social wealth. Outside of exhibitions, Joan fostered an appreciation of the arts through her volunteer teaching. She was a fondly-remembered mentor to many students in the Limestone District School Board. I could stand before you today and read out a long list of Joan's many accomplishments but they would all have the same underlying theme that Joan brought to everything and everyone she loved. I am sure most would agree that her greatest work of art is her family. And it would be crass to equate the love and support that Joan gave to the arts community with the unconditional love and support she gave to her family. But in a way, Joan's efforts on behalf of our community arts reflect the vast reserves of love and support that she gave freely to all of us whose lives she touched. When I think of Joan's contribution to my own life, it is one of support as a fellow lover of art and as a friend. It was a privilege and an honour for us, in our weekly art group, to reciprocate that support to her in her last years. With Joan’s passing our community has lost a bright and inspiring flame. But all of us who were blessed with knowing her personally, professionally and artistically may take comfort that her efforts in life lit many bright beacons for the future of the arts here. On behalf of the Kingston arts community I offer our most sincere condolences to her family, and our profound thanks for Joan's life."