Obituary for
Joan Gherson (Slater)
Born in Morris, Manitoba, at home. Died peacefully at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence in Ottawa after a brief illness.
Predeceased by her parents, Leo Slater QC and Anne McIntyre, brother Hugh, and devoted husband of 63 years, Randolph. Survived by twin children, Giles and Diane (Doug), grandchildren Nicola and Pippa Gherson and Duncan and James Barile, great-grandson, Rhys Harley and niece, Paula Robinson.
Attended Winnipeg Public Schools, University of Manitoba, where she graduated at the top of her class in Commerce, and the London School of Economics (MSc Econ). Author of numerous publications including for the wool industry, and the London & Cambridge Economic Service Bulletin. During the 1960s, Joan worked as an economic consultant in Ottawa (DW Carr & Associates), in the 1970s and 1980s for the Foreign Investment Review Agency and its successor, Investment Canada, and then for Revenue Canada. Her career was interspersed with diplomatic postings abroad in Brussels (1968-72) Washington (1972-76) and Paris (1980-83). Following her retirement she volunteered at the Bruyere Hospital and Elizabeth Fry Society in Ottawa and the Gatineau Historical Society while tending to her beloved garden at home in Larrimac, Quebec.
An avid reader with an abiding interest in European and British history, Joan led a rich life, full of family and friends she cared deeply about and, for those who knew her, dominated by her storybook marriage to Randolph. With great thanks to the caring management and staff at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence who did so much to make her final weeks and years comfortable.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence, Penthouse, 100 Island Lodge Road, Saturday April 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.