A smart, kind, adventurous woman, supportive partner, great mom, and
wonderful grandmother, Joanne Helen Taylor Morgan, 91 years old, passed away
peacefully on May 11, 2023. Joanne will be missed by her loving husband Don
Kelly, children Leslie (& partner Susan), Jennifer (& husband Nik), and Scott (&
partner Ellen), and her grandchildren, Taylor, Anthony, and Samantha.

Born in Montreal in May 1931, Joanne grew up in NDG when Benny Farm was
still a farm, and horse drawn carriages delivered ice for your icebox. Dearly loved
by her parents (deceased), Stuart Taylor and Helen (Ross) Taylor, she enjoyed a
happy childhood and was an avid canoer, tomboy, and lover of the outdoors. As a
young adult, she enjoyed serving as a WREN (Women's Royal Canadian Naval
Service) and also worked on the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning Line) as a
draftsman at ‘the Bell’ during the Early Cold War years of the 1950s. She met
George L. Morgan in 1950, shortly after he moved to Canada from Scotland. They
married in 1953, had four children together (Andrew (deceased), Leslie, Jennifer
and Scott) and eventually divorced. Joanne met Don Kelly in the early 70’s and
they went on to enjoy 51 years together.

A lifelong learner, Joanne completed a BA in Psychology and then an MA in
counselling psychology. Joanne was a strong and proud feminist throughout her
life. She was an early contributor to what became the Simone de Beauvoir
Institute’s Women’s Studies program. Joanne was hired the first year that Vanier
College opened its Snowdon campus, where she taught in Psychology,
Humanities and Social Sciences programs. When the Snowdon campus closed,
she relocated to the Saint Croix campus.

Joanne retired from teaching at the age of 71, in 2004, and spent her retirement
years travelling and visiting family on the west coast, including her three
grandchildren. She led a rich and cultured life as a lifelong Montrealer, enjoying
nature, music, art, and theatre. Joanne had a close circle of good friends in her
retirement years and they formed a vibrant community, sharing adventures,
travels, and many social gatherings.

Joanne was a warm and thoughtful person, well loved by all who knew her. She
was admired as a teacher, as a spouse, as a parent, as a grandparent, and as a
cherished friend. She was very kind and cared deeply about people and nature.
Joanne loved travel, and travelled widely during her work sabbaticals, summer
breaks, and retirement years. She studied theatre, literature and art throughout
her life, and appreciated music in many forms. Although she started out as a
classical music fan, in later years Hawaiian music was a particular favourite. She
had a sharp wit, and was politically and environmentally astute. She liked to keep
in close contact with her kids, and enjoyed visiting family, and vacationing and
travelling with them. Joanne built a magnificent garden at her home in NDG over
the 56 years she lived in her final home.

Joanne touched many lives. She will be greatly missed by all that loved her.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any of the following:
-Jewish General Hospital
-Canadian Cancer Society
-David Suzuki Foundation
- Morgan Arboretum

A Celebration of Life will be planned in the autumn. Please feel free to share
stories of her life on this memorial page. The family will be gathering stories for
the celebration of her life. If you are interested in attending or wish to share
stories with us directly, please email Jennifer (jbmorgan@duck.com).