Joan was the first-born daughter of Elizabeth (Peters) and Douglas Dawson. She was born on October 18, 1927 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Joan and her younger sisters (Margaret and Beverley) grew up in Montreal where the family attended First Presbyterian Church in Verdun.

Joan began her working career when she was 15 years old at Lawson Mardon Group Limited (Montreal Lithographing) and retired 50 years later, in 1992, in Customer Service, Inside Sales, overseeing the company's key accounts. Joan was well-respected by those with whom she worked. She was a valuable asset to the company and was treated as such during a time when women were not as visible in the work place.

Joan was transferred to the Mardon's Toronto Office in the mid 1970's. She and her mother moved to Oakville where Joan began attending Hopedale Presbyterian Church. In time, Joan became an Elder at the church, a role she was gifted for. Joan often spoke with fondness of her family at Hopedale.

Joan loved to golf, travel, play euchre, bowl, and was often found with a crossword puzzle in hand and a dictionary at her side. She spent much time with her nieces and nephews and spoke into their lives in significant ways. When her great nieces and nephews came along, she spent time with them and shared her love with them, too. Joan was kind, considerate, compassionate, gentle, joyful, friendly, and fun-loving, just like the Lord she loved so dearly.