1923-2014
Joyce’s journey started near the Welsh border and ended at hospice in Victoria on March 12th. After growing up in Birmingham, Joyce chose a nursing career, training in London during the war and later learning midwifery. She delivered babies in Edinburgh before emigrating to Rhodesia to teach midwifery skills to the local nurses in Bulawayo. In Africa, Joyce met and married Doug, a marriage that would last over 55 years until his passing in 2008. Leaving Africa for Canada, Joyce and Doug arrived to an Edmonton winter. In 1957, they settled in Victoria, their home for the rest of their lives. Joyce was kept busy with four active children, an old house, a very large garden, and her duties as the wife of an alderman/mayor. This left little time for herself, although she enjoyed gardening, wine making, reading or just chatting over a cup of tea. Once the children started to leave home, Doug and Joyce found time to travel, visiting England, Europe, Russia, New Zealand and Australia. Doug’s recurring health problems meant Joyce spent many years helping him as his health declined. Just as she had always been there for her children, she was there for Doug. After his passing in 2008, she moved into the Glenshiel where she enjoyed outings and cards with her pals, and visits from family and friends.
Joyce is survived by her children Sheilagh (Eric), Brian (Louise), Ralph (Eda) and Linda (Dave), her granddaughters Hailey (Matt), Lindsay (Ben) and Kelsey, and her great-grandson Kelly. She leaves family and friends in the UK and other parts of the world.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at St. Mary’s Church, 1701 Elgin Street at 1pm on Monday, March 31st . A short reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite charity.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Tanya Horgan
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Rich Johnston Dear Sheilagh, Brian, Ralph , Linda and your successful and growing families. Please allow me to offer my most sincere sympathies with the passing of your wonderful and supportive mother. She was such a good and supportive person to her family and to her close friends and neighbors on Woodlawn and Clive Drive and area. Our mother, Pat, considered her one of her best friends as they were such close neighbors, soul mates in terms of sharing the challenges and successes of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and of course in the way they both shared their love of gardening and cooperating on joint projects across the cement and rock wall. Your mother , as well as your father for that matter were model citizens of Oak Bay and they will be missed. She was very proud of all of you and I know that you will have many good memories to look back on to help all of you get through the difficult days ahead. Joyce most certainly left the world a better place. I offer you my most positive thoughts at this time and my most sincere condolences, Rich Johnston
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Shirley Rogers, Nanton, Ab. Dear Sheilagh, Brian, Ralph Linda and families. Our sincere sympathy to you all in the passing of your beloved Mom. She was the only cousin that I had and after your parents moved to Canada we were delighted to meet them when they lived in Edmonton. You were a baby, Sheilagh when they came to Lethbridge in 1954 to our wedding. Over the years we have kept in touch through cards, phone calls and visits. Your Mom was a lovely lady and very special to me.
Our love to you all.
Shirley and Charlie Rogers
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Marnie Crowe Hello to Sheilagh, Brian, Ralph and Linda. My thoughts are with you today as I read of your dear Mother’s passing. Myself and my former husband Gary were neighbours of hers/yours on Woodlawn. We built the contemporary house across the cul de sac from you. Joyce was a lovely neighbour as was your very busy Father.”Manys a time” your Mom and I would visit in our gardens discussing the merits of various plants. And, while we were building the house she would often appear with a cup of tea or a biscuit or two for the tired workers. I have lovely fond memories of Joyce . . take comfort in knowing that she lived a very wonderful and useful life and her cheerful smile made each and every one of us a happier person. Marnie Crowe
Hello Linda,
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. I was trying to track you down when I came across your mother’s obituary.
I’d love to hear from you. My email is tanya_horgan@hotmail.com