Joan Angela Barker passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of social justice, advocacy, and healing. Born on October 2, 1935, in The Pas, Manitoba, Joan was the beloved daughter of Edward Barker and Ethel Coan.

A scholar and a pioneer, Joan earned advanced degrees in social work, becoming a renowned expert in gerontology and mental health. Her professional life was defined by her compassionate work with Indigenous peoples in both the Arctic and James Bay, and her tireless contributions to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the support of residential school survivors. Her dedication to these issues earned her the prestigious Queen’s Jubilee Medal. In her later years, Joan served on several advisory boards and university research projects as a fierce patient advocate, ensuring that the vulnerable were treated with the dignity she spent her career defending. Throughout her career, Joan mentored many colleagues—from social workers, and researchers to doctors and nurses.

Beyond her professional accolades, Joan was a woman of immense creativity and curiosity. She was an avid fossil hunter, a talented artisan in sewing and jewelry making, and a true "citizen of the world." She found great joy in traveling to Italy, where she immersed herself in the culture, learned to cook authentic cuisine, and celebrated the simple pleasures of life. She embraced social media and other technological tools that allowed her to keep in touch with family and friends around the world.

Joan is survived by her four children: Maureen Russell, Patrick Russell, Brian Russell and Ariana Barker; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members. Her spirit of resilience, joy, and whimsy, and her zest for "the good life," will be deeply missed by her family, her colleagues, friends, and the many communities she helped to heal.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Joan’s remarkable life will be held on April 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Petit Bill’s Bistro, 1293 Wellington St West, Ottawa. Friends and family are invited to gather, share stories, and raise a glass in her honor.

Memorial Donations

In tribute to Joan’s love for Italy and her lifelong commitment to protecting the vulnerable, donations may be made in her memory to the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary in Rome at www.gattidiroma.net/web/en/donate/.Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary