June 16, 1936 - May 29, 2022
Jo-Ann was born in Goderich, Ontario, to Dr. William and Elaine (Onley) Fowler. They lived in Bayfield, Ontario at the time, where Dr. Fowler was a country doctor, and Goderich was the closest hospital for babies to be delivered. Shortly after, they moved to Lucknow, and then to Erin until WW2 broke out, and her father left to be a doctor in the Army Medical Corps in Italy. Elaine moved Jo-Ann and her brother Bill to the Beaches area of Toronto for the duration of the war, and after her father returned they continued moving around small town Ontario for his medical practice, living in Walkerton, Lakeview/Port Credit, and finishing in Brockville where Jo-Ann went to high school.
While growing up, Jo-Ann and her brother took piano lessons, achieving high levels with the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, and after high school Jo-Ann enrolled in the residential “Licentiate” program at the RCM, studying with Alberto and Myrtle Guerrero (the same teacher with whom Glenn Gould studied). During this time, she met Willem Ras, newly immigrated from the Netherlands, and they were married in 1959 (divorced in 1978).
Son Derek Jacob arrived in 1960, followed by David William in 1961 and Elayne Ruth in 1964. David sadly passed away in 1964, and around that time Derek was diagnosed with mild autism. Derek’s diagnosis would propel Jo-Ann into a new career, as Derek’s grade 3 special ed teacher, Clara Will, was thinking of starting a treatment and assessment centre/school program for children with disabilities and their families which she called “Adventure Place”. Clara wanted Jo-Ann’s musical expertise to be part of her school, so after having taught private piano lessons for many years, Jo-Ann gave that up to become the music specialist and a teacher therapist at Adventure Place, starting in 1972 until 2001 when she partly retired. She stayed on at AP in a part-time capacity until 2013.
Music and acting were always passions of Jo-Ann’s, and later in life she participated in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Toronto’s productions, singing alto in the chorus in more than 15 of their productions along with some productions with the St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society. She also became passionate about Ragtime piano and storytelling, combining these two in a presentation/performance of the life of Scott Joplin which she performed several times, including at the Scott Joplin Festival in Sedalia, Missouri. Storytelling at the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ontario and elsewhere was also a great enjoyment for her, especially telling tales from her Irish and Scottish heritage.
She was always supportive of everything that Derek and Elayne did, attending almost all of Elayne’s performances in symphonies or that her students presented, and she was always a cheerleader and advocate of anything to do with children and music. She moved to a seniors’ building in Rockwood, Ontario in 2011 where she still played her piano, especially for Christmas get togethers with the other residents.
Jo-Ann had a great sense of humour, she was a strong and caring person who dealt with the difficult things in life with courage and grace; she was a good friend, and a wonderful mother.
May we all continue to make music, children, and the arts a central joy in our lives, which is the best way to honour her life and spirit.
Cremation has taken place, and her ashes will be scattered in the Arboretum Memorial Forest, Guelph, in September. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com. A service in celebration of her life will occur on Sunday, July 10, 2022, 2pm at a yet to be determined venue.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Kerry’s Place Autism Services, the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute (via Canada Helps) or any other children’s, music, or animal charity of your choice would be an honour to Jo-Ann’s memory.