Sidney "Joan" Galley (nee Andrews)

 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of a beautiful, generous, intelligent, selfless, and accomplished mother, daughter, former nurse and administrator, Sidney Joan Galley (nee Andrews).

Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1934, Joan was a graduate of The Bishop Strachan School for girls, and McGill University School of Nursing. Through her schooling years and beyond, Joan developed and fostered many life-long friendships and interests. She beat to her own drum and is remembered by one of her nieces as “this glamourous aunt who had many boyfriends and her own apartment in Toronto”, and by another niece who remembers, with slight envy, Joan’s “little red sportscar”!

As a registered nurse, Joan worked in some of the toughest settings; the children’s burn unit, neonatal intensive care, and emergency room. As children, we remember being awed by her stories and even a little mortified! Her career culminated in the senior administration of nursing homes, a demanding but rewarding end to her years “of patient care”.

Joan had many passions; true crime, duplicate bridge, collecting and refinishing Canadiana furniture, English history, and genealogy, but her passion for ancient peoples, cultures and languages trumped all.

She visited many a far-flung destination, and sites of particular interest, in Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Africa and Central America. She could read Hieroglyphics and spent hours on the decipherment of the ancient Mycenean Greek syllabic script, Linear B, which predates the Greek alphabet by several centuries.

Our home was clean but not tidy! Stacks of books and papers lined the rooms and covered even the dining room table. But it was a home filled with love and encouragement. Mom left us with many life lessons, and these, through example, not rhetoric. She was kind, a hard worker, a loyal and devoted friend and an involved parent.

And she wasn’t afraid to get dirty! Our parents purchased a lot on Little Redstone Lake in 1974. After a few summers “camping out”, our parents spent many subsequent, building the family cottage, mostly themselves. We remember the anticipation of returning from summer camp to the “progress” that had been made at the cottage that season. 

Mom never remarried after the passing of our father, Thomas Arnold Galley, in 1992 (age 56). She thereafter relocated to Haliburton, Ontario permanently, and continued to enjoy her family, friends, bridge games and social engagements. Kosy Korner Restaurant was a favourite destination – especially in the days when she could happily (and defiantly?) smoke at the table!

Joan is survived by her two children and five lovely grandchildren: Jon Stromer-Galley (Jen Stromer-Galley, Isabelle, Bridget & Audrey) and Karen Galley (Peter Buonocore, Emma, and Sean). The last surviving of her siblings (Leonard, Myrtle and Ruth), Joan was also close with her nieces, nephews, and extended family and, in particular, her niece Linda and husband Bob who were also with her through a beautiful and peaceful passing. With love and gratitude.

Respecting the family’s wishes, there will be no formal service at this time. A celebration of life is planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Proud Pioneers of Extendicare. The Proud Pioneers organize activities and events for the residents, by the residents, enriching their lives in many ways. Mom experienced loving and expert care through Extendicare in the final years of her life and we could not be more appreciative for the service and support of their truly dedicated team. Please make your check payable to The Proud Pioneers at Extendicare Haliburton, 167 Park St, Haliburton, ON, K0M1S0.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME  13523 Hwy. #118,  Haliburton, Ontario (705) 457-9209.