Obituary of Joan Helen Carmichael

Mrs. Joan Helen Papernick Shabsove Carmichael, age 92, passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, February 17, 2025, peacefully at home. She was born February 12, 1933, in Toronto, a daughter of the late Aaron and Kate Papernick.

‍Joan is survived by her three (3) loving daughters: Nancy, Hyla, and Jill, her eight (8) grandchildren: Joel (Jaime), Reesa (Mark), Adrienne (Chris), Philip (Tini), Debra (Brendan), Geoffrey (Candice), Joanna (Troy), and Stephanie (Nick), her 13 great grandchildren: Max, Lilly, Sebastian, Hunter, James, Thomas, Milo, Henry, Noah, Hilda, Brooke, Asher, and Penelope, and her siblings, Jodi and David.

She was predeceased by her first husband, George, her second husband, Jim, her son, Steven, and son-in-law, Sebastian.

Joan was raised in downtown Toronto, before marrying George Shabsove and moving to Petrolia, Ontario where they raised their four (4) children. In Joan's late-30s, she pursued a career in teaching. Widowed at a young age, Joan married Jim Carmichael and moved to London, Ontario. Following Jim's passing, Joan rediscovered her passion for teaching and spent the final 10 years of her career at Glen Cairn Public School teaching primary school kids – making lifelong friends along the way. In her later years, Joan returned to Toronto to be closer to family where she lived with her daughter, Hyla, and son-in-law, Sebastian.

Joan was a charming, engaging and spunky little lady - what she lacked in height, she made up for in personality. Joan had a unique ability to brighten everyone's day, whether you were family, friend or a stranger in the elevator. Known for her 'Joanisms', she made a lasting impression. Joan will be remembered as kind, considerate, and gracious. Joan's quick wit and her warm heart always put a smile on everyone's face.

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Funeral service will be held 11 am Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St. Burial will follow at the Or Shalom Cemetery, Proudfoot Lane. Shiva will be at 5 Artreeva Drive in North York.  Visitation is on Friday from 11 am to 2 pm and on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 12 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm, with Ma'ariv at 7 pm.

Those who wish to make a memorial donation in Joan’s name are asked to consider a charity of your choosing.

A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Joan by the staff of the Logan Funeral Home.