Book of Memories for Margaret Joan "Joan" Burton

Story shared: Compassionate

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:55:14 EDT

Joan was and always will be one of the best in my working history....spirited, giving, compassionate, a great leader with enough enthusiasum for life for everyone. Joan will be missed by many!

Story shared: Kindness

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 06:57:30 EDT

I worked with Joan at IAPA. Joan's kindness always sparkled!

Condolence From Desiree D'Souza

Sun, 09 Mar 2014 20:19:13 EDT

What a great loss...words fail me. A truly lovely person with a zest for life. May she rest in peace.

Condolence From Terry Bannon

Sun, 09 Mar 2014 12:13:54 EDT

To Joan's family my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have to agree with every comment, word and phrase used in everyone's messages. That is the Joan we all admired and respected for her dedication to her family, friends and healthy workplaces. Oh that smile!!! She always had wise words of wisdom and often at the end of her message you could see that she was ready to crack open that smile and sometimes a good joke would follow and we would all smile. Joan you are already greatly missed. Terry

Story shared: Christmas story

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 23:46:02 EST

Joan was able to join my Christmas Village party for the last few years. Her favourite piece in the village was the Maple Sugar Shack and the piece where the man is stirring the maple syrup in a big pot belly pot. Of course Joan was always one for detail and asked Why did the fellow have a dog and not a cat sitting next to him? So I took two cats from another village scene and put them beside the dog. Joan was very happy as she loved cats. In honour of Joan I will be naming one of the streets in my village in memory of her. So I now gladly add "Burton Blvd" to my village. Joan you were always such as wonderful gracious and lovely person. You are most certainly missed already.

Condolence From Kathy Baxter

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 14:34:47 EST

Seeing these wonderful pictures of Joan makes it so very difficult to comprehend the loss. It seems like only yesterday that Joan and I were sitting together discussing the details of her retirement. She had such well-defined and thoughtful plans for the next chapter of her life. Cancer certainly wasn’t part of them. Still, in the much too short time that she was granted, she did fulfill her goals of concentrating on her relationships with her family and friends, of continuing to extend the reach of healthy workplaces, and travelling. Joan’s title during the years I knew her at IAPA was that of Manager, Healthy Workplaces. It was a unique management role in that it had no assigned direct reports. Yet I would argue that we were all Joan’s direct reports. She led us all by challenging our thinking and our actions in how we set and implemented policy. Joan’s vast knowledge and genuine commitment, coupled with the masterful ability to speak her mind in a tactful and constructive manner had an enormous influence on IAPA internally, and me, personally. The outpouring of support to Joan’s family from her IAPA colleagues is testimony to how appreciated her leadership and friendship was by all. I join in adding my sincere condolences as well. May the shared memories from her friends and colleagues be a comfort through this very difficult time. Blessings.

Story shared: Thank you for touching my heart and heart of so many

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 09:28:52 EST

Dear Joan - as a member of the MOL Healthy Workplace committee - I want to give you en more big hug. Thank you for the wonderful positive energetic meetings we had with you as a coach. Through you we then shared this wellness to so many in our workplace. I can still her you speak, laugh an see your beautiful smile and cannot believe you are 70 you good looking woman! Thank you for being part of my life. I know you family and many people around you will miss you. What you have done and shared with me will remain with me forever. May the lives of so many you have touched so positively bring comfort to your family. See you in our next wonderful life! Phil XXXX

Condolence From Ilma Bhunnoo

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:29:17 EST

My sincere condolences to Joan's family for their loss. Joan was the one who inspired us to think of the holistic approach to health and safety, the true deep real part of “Health” in health and safety. She was instrumental in setting up the workplace health component at IAPA and planting the seed for wellness and fitness programs and encouraging everyone to stay active, and nurtured the growth of individuals to be the best they can be. She was an exceptional leader and role model both on a national and international level. She influeneced many in their career, as a woman exuberating confidence, dedication and such passion in her work, and for outdoor life. I feel honoured and privileged to have been able to know her as a person, and been part of various teams she led. Honesty, integrity, perseverance, respect and her motherly caring personality is what will always stay with me. You will be dearly missed Joan!

Condolence From John VanLenthe

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:54:27 EST

Joan left her mark on the world by making a difference. Her passion and dedication to making a positive change in people's lives, both personally and professionally, will live on forever. Someone once said, "To the world, you are but a person. But to some person, you are the world". Joan wasn't just a person, and to those who knew her, she was their world. A world changed because of Joan's influence and passion, and she will be missed. To Joan's family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Story shared: Walk the Talk

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 08:38:24 EST

I am saddened by the news. I had no idea Joan was not well. I always remember Joan as a happy, friendly, approachable person with a great sense of humor. She just made you feel comfortable when you spoke with her. My funniest memory of Joan was when we were at a manager meeting (The Boulevard Club, I think) and we broke into working groups. Feeling out of place as a supervisor, Joan made sure I felt like I belonged. Joan was writing on the flip chart and meant to say “Walk the Talk” but somebody thought it said “Wack the Tack” (the L's looked like C's) so we all laughed for a minute. I was looking back at the team photos for the Ride for Heat and Joan and her son are in two of them, 1999 and 2000. Let me know if you would like these forwarded to the family. I will be thinking of her, Paul

Photo shared: DSC_0064.jpg

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:01:54 EST

Joan with Michael Abromeit and Andrew Harkness 2009

Photo shared: JoanandMaureensept.2003.jpg

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:58:24 EST

Joan and Maureen Shaw - Joan received the Canadian Workplace Wellness Pioneer Award in 2003 in Ottawa

Photo shared: Board of Directors 2010.JPG

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 12:36:24 EST

OWHC Board of Directors October 4, 2010. Joan is in the second row, 3rd from the right.

Photo shared: 041.JPG

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 12:32:01 EST

OWHC Annual General Meeting September 15, 2010. Joan is 8th from the right.

Condolence From Carol Granger (Silva)

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:17:14 EST

I had the pleasure and honour of working with Joan and learned so much. I envied her zest for life. I admired her as a woman of conviction. My thoughts and prayers to your family Joan. May you rest in peace.

Condolence From Mike Cole-Hamilton

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:45:34 EST

Joan was a friend and a good neighbour, both in Newmarket and at work. More than just a friend, she was always a cheerful, kindly and helpful presence. We regularly walked from the GO Train to 250 Yonge St. and back, each determined to show the other how fit we were. Finally, we declared a breathless truce and enjoyed the walk all the more! I am proud to have known Joan, she has clearly left a huge positive impression - I won't say the world is poorer without her but rather, the world is a richer place for having known her. A great lady.

Condolence From Donna Brown

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:19:44 EST

My sincere condolences. I can only reiterate everything that has been said about Joan, adding that she was a person you could go to with just about anything ... revered for her emotional intellegence and exceptional ways of dealing with people. Greatly missed.

Condolence From Paula Quintal

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:10:19 EST

What a strong and wonderful lady. I will never forget Joan's passion towards healthy workplaces, beautiful smile and zest for life. May she rest in peace, and may good memories of her time with us be a source of comfort for family and friends. My sincere condolences.

Condolence From Barbara McGreish

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:41:37 EST

My sincere condolences to Joan's family. She was so proud of her boys and her grandchildren. Every time she talked about her family her smile widened and her face lit up. She helped me through some difficult episodes with my mother and even when I didn't go to her she made a point of seeking me out and making me talk. Her nursing background was always a part of her. She took her nursing background into new heights. Joan put IAPA on the world map with her expertise in Health & Safety. There are people the world over who are benefiting from the work she did. Joan had a great sense of humour and a positive outlook. She was a lady to envy. Her poise and honesty made her acceptable to everyone she met. We were all made better for working with her and enjoying her friendship. Joan will be sorely missed.

Condolence From Marilyn Fingerhut

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 09:37:49 EST

I offer my deepest sympathy to Joan’s family. I knew Joan though her work with the World Health Organization (WHO), beginning when she was at IAPA. She was a fantastic contributor to WHO, to the Network of Collaborating Centers of Occupational Health, and to workers globally. Joan was a light in the darkness and helped so many people. I have such respect and fondness for her. In 2009 Joan served as Rapporteur for our WHO Network Meeting in Geneva. She was the lead author of the WHO Healthy Workplace Model, which built upon the Canadian model and is now influencing all parts of the globe. Her impact will continue far into the future.

Condolence From Leslie Nickels

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:08:45 EST

I was very sad to learn of Joan’s passing. I first met Joan at an ILO SOLVE pilot program in Turin Italy in 2000 and found we shared a similar world view on workplace health and safety, training, and networking. We also shared a love for walking and travel and she inspired me to join walking tours. I can’t overstate how much I liked and admired Joan. She really helped me gain perspective when I was exasperated. My sincere condolences.

Condolence From Ellen Lederman

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:05:22 EST

Please accept my condolences and deepest sympathy for your loss. I had the privilege of working with Joan as well as attending grad school with her. She was a lovely and special individual.

Condolence From Cathi Carr

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:43:49 EST

Joan was a wonderful woman: a leader, an advocate and a role model for many woking to advance the cause of healthy and safe workplaces in Canada and internationally. She will be greatly missed! I am privileged to have known her. Condolences to her family and her community of friends.

Photo shared: 100_2913.JPG

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 16:20:44 EST

Michael Abromeit; Joan Burton; Vic Pakalnis

Condolence From Michael Abromeit

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:27:34 EST

I wish to express my deepest sympathy for Joan's family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Joan will always be an inspiration to us all. Her kindness and caring for others has been reflected in her family, her life's work, and the friendships she made. Joan represents a leader for the cause of enhancing Healthy Workplaces within Canadian workplaces. Joan's work through the World Health Organization impacted postively in communities around the globe. She has set the standard that we all can aspire to, and leaves a legacy that we must all continue to contribute towards in her name. But most of all, it is her kindness and caring that we all remember her by.

Condolence From Wagish

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:55:38 EST

We will miss the advocate for occupational health who helped keep use at the forefront. Always a smile and laugh that will be missed. We will always remember the good times with you, like the train trip to Montreal. Farewell.

Condolence From Don Patten

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:37:36 EST

I'm saddened to hear of the loss of Joan. A great health and safety professional and even better person. She will be missed.

Condolence From Zoie Sutherland

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:23:12 EST

I am so sorry to hear about Joan, a wonderful, loving person who always had words of wisdom. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and close friends of a wonderful woman.

Condolence From Sandi Buscarini

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:15:18 EST

You always had a smile on your face, a kind word for everyone, and transformed us over the years, with your passion for workplace wellness and healthy workplaces. You have left a legacy behind that will never be forgotten, and you will truly be missed... My deepest condolences to your family

Condolence From Christine Joli-Coeur

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:53:32 EST

My sincerest condolences for your lost. I had the greatest pleasure to work with Joan while at IAPA as part of the Health Workplace Team. Joan was a pleasure to work with. She was a kind and very dedicated women with vision. With sympathy for your loss. Chris

Photo shared: JOan

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 LMT