Joan Laura MacDonald-Bradford

It is with great sadness but also respect for a life well lived that we announce the passing of our mother, Joan Laura MacDonald-Bradford, which occurred peacefully on August 30th, 2025, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born March 7th, 1955, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to the late Lloyd MacDonald and Georgina Jensen. 

Having moved to Ontario when she was only one, Joan always considered Ontario “home”. She graduated from Northview Heights in Toronto and went on to pursue a career in private investigations before welcoming her first child. She went on to have three more children and relocated to Saint John where she enjoyed several career changes over her lifetime. She recently said that her pride and joy and greatest accomplishments were her four children and their families; second to them was her passion for fostering, rescuing, and helping stray cats, which she had been doing since her first rescue in 1977. 

Joan spent most of her adult life making sure wherever she lived had a safe space, warm bed, and plenty of food for any lost or stray cat, and of course she did the same for any of her children's friends, with many becoming family to her.

Joan is survived by her four children: Erica (Sarah), Aaron (Loni), Ryan (Candice), and Meagan, as well as their father, Frank Bradford, 5 grandchildren (Andrew, Aidan, Jenna, Tyler, and Tillie), and three great grandchildren (Jace, Dawson, and Asher). She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Alice Bradford, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joan leaves behind a large chosen family of deeply cherished friends and loved ones, with many friendships spanning decades.

Joan was predeceased by both of her parents, as well as her sister, Beth MacDonald; father-in-law, Fred Bradford; and infant grandson, Nicholas Alexander Dupuis-Bradford and beloved pets.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire team and staff at 3BS (SICU), as well as 4CN and 5CN during Mom's recent stay, and to Vicki, Frankie, Spencer, and all the many wonderful staff at Bayshore for taking care of Mom over the past several years.

Arrangements are under the care of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 2-4pm, and from 6-8pm. A memorial service will take place at the Fundy Chapel, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10am. Interment will follow at Fernhill Cemetery. Reception will follow the interment at Fundy Funeral Home. 

Donations in memory of Joan can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Red Head Strays Helping Stray Cats Strut, or a charity of the donor's choice.