Joan Balch
July 20, 1935 - March 3, 2026
Passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in London, Ontario in her 91st 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.
Leave a tribute for Joan Balch
Leave a tribute
I've only known Joan for the last several years as we became friends through genealogy --- namely the Somerset/Dorset Family History Society and its Canadian members known as an Out of County group. Joan and I shared many emails privately about joint interests, and I am very sorry to hear of her death. She made a wonderful contribution to the genealogy society. Gail Benjafield, St. Catharines ON
Joan will be very much missed by those of us in England. I have corresponded with her for many years and it was always a pleasure to see her name pop up in my inbox. We “chatted” about genealogy and swapped memories of those who had gone before. God Bless you Joan.
I learned of Joan’s death in a message from Lesley Esser in England today (March 21). Joan was my contact with the Scattergood descendants. She gave me lots of family history. She also send messages updating her life. She always had a positive outlook. I will pass the sad news on to the rest of the Benford cousins.
Joan, you were a dear friend. Navy through and through. Your encyclopedic memory and archivist talents were second to none. You will be sorely missed by both your family and your naval family. Rest in Peace
Services for Joan Balch
Visitation will be held at:
Westview Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
709 Wonderland Road North,
London, Ontario
March 9, 2026 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Funeral Service will be held at:
Westview Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
709 Wonderland Road North,
London, Ontario
March 9, 2026 11:00 am
Additional Service information
Interment will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.
Make a donation
If you wish to make a donation, please consider one of the charities listed below. You will be taken to the charity's website to process your payment.
I am the convener of the Canadian Branch of the Somerset & Dorset Family History Society and Joan joined our group in 2024. She was a very active member and helped several of us with genealogy records. Personally she helped me to try and navigate military records. Her contribution to our group will be missed. We were so sorry to hear of her passing and we offer sincere condolences to her friends and family for their loss.
~ Anne van Dyk