Joan Balch

Passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in London, Ontario in her 91^st year.  Born July 20, 1935 in London, Ontario to Ken and Dorothy Balch.  Predeceased by her parents, as well as sister Diane Jeffrey (2025) and brother Greg Balch (2004).  Survived by brother James Balch, sister Mary Kienapple (Bill), several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many lifelong friends.

Joan attended Beal Secondary School in London to take art courses, then moved to Toronto in 1952, where she lived and worked as a tracer/draughtsman.  She travelled until age necessitated that she stay closer to home.  She moved back to London about ten years ago.

While in Toronto, Joan was in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve Wrens from 1956 – 1966, and recently won a King Charles III medal for her work on Navy projects.  Her biggest hobby was genealogy and she spent most of her life working on many family histories.

She loved to have people over for tea and cookies.  She could talk about anything and never had a bad word about anyone.  She had a wide range of interests and had intelligent conversations on many subjects.

Joan will be missed by a large group of people, who are grieving her departure.

Visitation will be held at Westview Funeral Home, 709 Wonderland Road North, London on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.

Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre.