Helen Joyce Graham

Helen Joyce Graham passed away on May 14, 2021 at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Abbotsford, B.C. “Joyce” was born on November 21, 1933 on the original Wood family farm in Melbourne, M.B. that later was amalgamated to the adjoining farm then becoming known as the Graham farm. Joyce’s parents were Thomas John (Jack) Graham, born October 12, 1887 in Anstruther, Peterborough County, Ont. and Jessie Alice Wood, born April 17, 1896 in Otonabee, Peterborough County, Ont.

Joyce was predeceased by her first husband of 18 years, William McIvor Finlayson of Surrey, B.C. and her second husband of 34 years, Bruno Cau formerly of Iglesias, Italy. Joyce spent her years happily with Bruno and lovingly caring for him until his passing from a long terminal illness.

Joyce will be dearly missed by her daughter Helen Kirkham and husband Richard Kirkham, granddaughter Lisa Kirkham and husband Struan Howes, great grandchildren Alexander and Evangeline, granddaughter Noella Craig, husband Kyle Craig, great grandchildren Ellie and Wesley.

Joyce will be missed also by her son Malcolm Finlayson.

Joyce was a third generation Canadian who’s both sets of grandparents moved from Ontario and settled in Melbourne, M.B. in the late 1800’s to adjoining farms. These two farms later joined and became one farm that is still in continuous ownership by the descendants of Graham and Wood families.

As living the life on a farm was not what appealed to Joyce, she worked at the Carberry Hospital as a candy striper to save for her journey to the West Coast, departing at 17 years of age. She settled in Vancouver working for Woodwards Department Store and later BC Telephone Co.

After many years of marriage Joyce later chose to raise her children independently, all while pursuing her own career. Joyce was working for and continued to work almost two decades at Sears Canada where she eventually became a supervisor in the Credit Department. During her time with Sears she travelled to train staff and audit Sears credit departments in catalogue centres in various locations in BC.

Her later career had her opening and operating her own Collection Agency and to lastly join Air Liquide.

Joyce was well respected and liked in her working environment, was an honest and excellent leader and continued throughout her life having close friends from her work colleagues at Sears Canada.

Joyce was well travelled and lived in Italy for a period of two years with her husband Bruno. She enjoyed those years tremendously spending time with Bruno’s family in Genoa, Sardinia and Turin. She was devoted to Bruno and they lived a happy contented life together. Bruno referred to her as “Joya” for joy and lovingly referred to her as “my lady” that proved to be a very fitting name.

Joyce was a loving and devoted member of our family who was fair, honest and lived with integrity. She was a guiding force in the family and always was part of our family journey. Time spent with her daughter and son in law, grand children and great grandchildren will be forever cherished thoughts in our family’s minds. Many times such as her granddaughter Lisa visiting on the way home from university where Joyce and Bruno would insist on her staying for lunch or when her granddaughter Noella would come during her lunch from work to visit with her grandmother. The many years her daughter and son in law spent together with Joyce and the way she always appreciated those in her life. These are the cherished moments.

Joyce lived a true and happy life and never let life’s hurdles impede her path or her happiness. Love, joy and food was always her way to show her love of family. To see her great grandchildren born was all she had asked for in her latter years so she may have the time to enjoy them. We will always think of her with love in our hearts and be so thankful that she was part of our lives.