February 12, 1927 - September 14, 2022
Born on February 12,1927, Joyce passed away peacefully on September 14, 2022.
Part of a large, noisy Irish family, Joyce grew up in Vancouver, BC. She attended Little Flower Academy (class of '46) where she made lifelong friends. Joyce became an elementary school teacher, teaching in Vancouver and then in Quesnel, BC. She married the love of her life, Leo Donahue.
In 1952, Leo and Joyce settled in Quesnel. They raised their children, Sean, Mark, and Jane. They stayed there for almost 30 years. Joyce was active in the Catholic Women's League and enjoyed small town life, even though she was a city girl at heart. The year that Leo and Joyce arrived in Quesnel, they met the Appleby, Tompkins, and Rigsby families. It was the beginning of lifelong friendships.
In 1979, Leo and Joyce return to Vancouver. Joyce was reunited with family members and old friends. Joyce lived in the west end for the next forty years, enjoying a view of Stanley Park and the mountains. She was a friendly fixture in the west end. She made a point of saying hello to everyone she met, this lead to many interesting connections that she shared in her wonderful storytelling.
Joyce was always stylish and beautiful, never without her hair done and lipstick on.
She related well to people of all ages. She was a talker, but also a listener. She shared good advice and made people feel at ease and accepted. She was very funny! Her little quips, observations, and sense of drama was a package that delighted others right to the end of her long life. She should have been a Hollywood actress! She was a loyal friend, loving mother, faithful Christian, and a very unique lady.
She will be missed by her children Sean (Betty), Jane (Ben); her grandchildren, Sam (Virginia), Benjamin (Claire); Ben's children, Elizabeth (Len), David (Debbie) and their children, Jacob and Noah.
She was predeceased by Leo after sharing 50 years of marriage, she will also be reunited with their son Mark.
We want to thank Joyce's caregivers and friends that have been so important to Joyce and her family: Sharon, Erika, Georgetta, Nazneen, and Rouhi. Her sister Dolores is the family's heart, and we thank her for her love and support.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca
A Funeral Mass for Joyce will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 11:00 am, at St. Edward's Catholic Church, 11123 Okanagan Rd Ctr E, Lake Country, BC. A reception will follow at the home of Jane and Ben.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be sent to the family by visiting her obituary page at www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
Springfield Funeral Home