Joan P. Miller
In loving memory of Joan Patricia Miller (nee Colling)
August 14, 1932 – February 3, 2026
Joan grew up on the family farm in Lowville, Ontario, daughter of George and Hazel (Fairfield) Colling (predeceased). She lived almost all her adult life in Guelph, Ontario, with her loving husband of almost 68 years, Murray (predeceased 2022). Joan and Murray had three children: Deb (Jim), David (Debbie) and Sandy (Peter, predeceased). Joan was a sister to Pauline (Bill), and Shirley (Jim, both predeceased), and sister-in-law to Don (Joyce, predeceased) and Jean (Joe, both predeceased).
Joan was a proud and loving Grandma to Emily (Daniel), Liam (Jessie), Jacob (Mo), and Kieran, and great-granddaughters Evelyn and Alice. She is survived by many nieces and nephews on the Colling and Miller side of the family, and many Fairfield and Colling cousins.
Joan left her home in Lowville to attend the Macdonald Institute at the now University of Guelph, where she received a BSc in nutrition and textile design, MAC ’54. Guelph and the University remained important for the rest of Joan and Murray’s lives together. Joan was involved in Dublin St. United Church and then Harcourt Memorial United Church for many years, and she also volunteered in the community. Joan was a talented seamstress; she designed and sewed clothes for herself and her daughters in her younger years. She loved the cottage she and Murray purchased in 1992 and spent many happy summers enjoying the outdoors and life at Black Lake. Joan loved animals and treasured the company of her pet cats. She loved to travel, and she and Murray went on a number of international trips together, including sabbaticals in the UK and in Australia. In later years Joan and Murray enjoyed several Christmases in Florida with family.
Joan lived the last few years of her life first at Arbour Trails in Guelph, and then Humber Heights in Etobicoke, where she received kind and respectful care. The family would like to thank Schlegel Villages and the staff for their attention to our Mom in her last years.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Joan, a donation to the Guelph Humane Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
We are planning an online celebration of life for Joan on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11:30 am. All are welcome, please reach out to Deb, Dave or Sandy for more information, or email us at dmillercushon@gmail.com.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Joan P. Miller in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.