HARMAN (nee STENHOUSE), Joan Ann
- April 10, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Harman, a compassionate and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of April 10, 2026, at the age of 91.
Beloved daughter of the late John and Ann (Quigley) Stenhouse.
She was predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Thomas George Harman. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Debbie Harman, Carol Van Horne, and Judy Harman Wojtasik (Ted), grandchildren Brian Van Horne (Leah), Drew Carey, Jessica Carey, Julia Van Horne (Jeremy), and Jennifer Van Horne, and great-grandchildren, Shea Van Horne and Cooper Carey, all of whom brought her immense joy.
Joan was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. She attended High School at St. Paul’s Catholic Girl’s School and later went on to secretarial school. She held a lifelong love for animals, especially cats and dogs. She was a great supporter of charities, including the SPCA, Cancer Research Society, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Throughout the years Joan enjoyed spending time with family, socializing with friends, participating in a bowling league, and playing military whist and cribbage.
Joan was loved for her quick wit, sense of humor, and unwavering strength. She set the bar high when it came to aging, doing so with both courage and dignity.
A celebration of life will be held at Voluntas commemoration on May 1, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Susan Gillies
April 14, 2026 at 7:44 pmI am very sorry for the loss of your Mom. Mrs Harman was always very kind to all of us and I have great childhood memories from our Cedar Park Pool days and swim meets, special times spent together with family. She had the best, most infectious laugh and I will remember her fondly. My sincerest sympathy, Warm Hugs, Susan Gillies
Judy Harman
April 20, 2026 at 6:55 pmThank you for your kind words Susan. so nice to hear from you. Yes, Mum did have a wonderful laugh and used it often. Her quick wit and sense of humor grew along with her!
Mark Gillies
April 14, 2026 at 7:58 pmHi Debbie, Carol and Judy. I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, one of the original Cedar Park Moms. Thinking of
you and sending my best to you and your families.
Judy Harman
April 20, 2026 at 7:00 pmHi Mark, we appreciate your words of support very much. Those 70’s summers spent at Cedar Park Pool were the best. I don’t think Mum ever missed one of our events! She was our number one fan in all that we did and she will be missed tremendously.
Bruce Gillies
April 14, 2026 at 8:29 pmHello Debbie, Carol, Judy and family. My sympathies for the loss of your mom. She is remembered fondly. I think back to all the time I spent at your kitchen table back in the seventies. Your parents treated me like a son and I have never forgotten their hospitality to me. Good times at Cedar Park, swim meets, high school etc. We will miss Joan, may she rest in peace. I wish for all of you to find some peace at this time.
Judy Harman
April 20, 2026 at 7:09 pmThank you for your condolences Bruce. Yes, Mum and Dad treated you as a son for sure and you were very good to them as well. I know they really enjoyed your visits and chats at the kitchen table. We were very fortunate to experience such a strong knit community!
Judi Fletcher
April 19, 2026 at 3:46 pmDebbie, Carol and Judy I am so sad to hear about your Mom. Great memories of her at Cedar Park. She was one of the great Moms! Sending hugs.
Judy Harman
April 20, 2026 at 7:11 pmHi Judi, so nice to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words about our dear Mum.
Ellen Erenberg
April 21, 2026 at 7:10 amDebbie, Carol and Judy
Sending you sincere condolences for the passing of your mom.
I have sweet memories of her…petunia flower gardens, nightly calling for Prince or Princess, carrying one or the other cat under her arm, dwelling backyard pools, squeaky clothesline indicating the Harmans were home and always being welcomed to play inside your home. But she was more than that. Your mom had a twinkle in her eye and was genuinely kind…always kind. And that mattered a great deal as a young person growing up next door. Thank you for having shared your mom with me for the 15 years we were neighbours.
Wishing you all wellness and peace.
Debbie Harman
April 22, 2026 at 5:38 pmEllen, your kind, touching words full of wonderful memories has me close to tears! Thank you for sharing your childhood memories of mom. She definitely was a wonderful mom and she was always there for us. But it is heartwarming to hear she was also a good neighbour “mom” to you and your sisters! She always said how lucky we were to have the Schneider girls as friends.
Mom was always saying how lucky we were to have sisters. And you, Susan and Brenda were like sisters to us. Do you remember
we used to pretend to swap sisters, Susan was Carol’s and I was yours! I am so glad to hear you have special memories of Mom and her kind, gentle soul. Your words help us to see our mom from another perspective and happy to hear that she was such a positive influence.
Lucia Gillespie Gillam
April 21, 2026 at 9:15 amLook up to the sky and you will see a bright diamond outshine all other stars. Mother in the sky. Her kindred spirit will be with you always and felt in in nature abound. We love you Mrs. Harman.
Debbie Harman
April 22, 2026 at 5:45 pmThanks so much Lucia! Your kind words are so true! Mom will always be in our hearts and minds.