Obituary of Joan Olivete Baker

Joan Olivette (Weller) (Ross) Baker The family of Joan Olivette Baker sadly announces her peaceful passing on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at her home in Middlesex Terrace, Delaware, at the age of 87 years. Joan was born on November 6, 1926 at St. Thomas Hospital, district of Lambeth Church in London, England. She married Alan Ross and emigrated to Canada in 1953 with her two children, Carole and Wayne, and had their first military posting in Petawawa. Other postings throughout Ontario, England and Germany followed but Joan eventually settled with her family in London, Ontario. Following a divorce from Alan, Joan married Gordon Baker in 1981 and together they started their antique business (Gordon F. Baker Antiques) on Main Street in lovely Lambeth. Joan enjoyed her home and the people that she met over the years in the antique business until she moved to Middlesex Terrace in 2009. In the early years in England Joan worked as a bus conductor during and after the Second World War. In London, Ontario, Joan worked at Victoria Hospital, London Furniture and the Holiday Inn. Over the years Joan is remembered as the first female taxi driver in London, Ontario, an accomplished needlework artist and a respected antique business owner. Joan is survived by sister Audrey Jones (Berkhamstead, England), daughter Carole (Frank) Bijlhouwer (Heusden, Netherlands), son Wayne (Diane) Ross (Fort Frances, Ontario) and stepsons Bob (Angie) Baker (Whitby) and Bill Baker (London). Also surviving are her loving grandchildren, Arend Bijlhouwer, Alicia (Robert) Netten, and Ronald (Carola) Bijlhouwer, in the Netherlands, Jessica (Ryan) Murphy and Erik (Jennifer) Ross in Thunder Bay, and Cali Baker in Whitby. Additional surviving great grandchildren include Kimberly, Alicia, Hailey, Jaicee, Connor and Wesley. Family who had predeceased Joan include her parents Arthur and Olive Weller, brother Phillip Weller, brother-in-law Ron Jones, and her husband Gordon Baker (2013). The family is grateful to the wonderful staff at Middlesex Terrace for the warm care that they have given to Joan during her years at the Terrace. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In memorium donations in Joan’s memory can be made to the London Humane Society, 624 Clarke Road, London, Ontario, N5V 3K5, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at McFarlane and Roberts Funeral Home (www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca). McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth 519-652-2020 in care of arrangements.