Joyce Jacqueline Booker

She was born at home on a Farm 7 miles east of Yorkton, Saskatchewan March 25th, 1930.

Joyce is survived by her sons Brent and Douglas, daughters-in-law Barb and Nona, her grandchildren Nika Booker-Grandea, Lisa Stewart, Steven Patterson and great grandchildren Joshua Heyes, Jordan Patterson and Judah Booker McVey as well as great-great grand-children Holden and Harlen. She is also survived by her sister Shirley Bell and more than 30 nieces and nephews in the Booker-Cope families.

She was predeceased by her Husband Howard (Chuck) Booker (1990) her father Richard Russell Cope (1971) and Mother Christine Cope (1996) and brother Clifford (1996) and sisters Lorraine Smithson (2019) and Beryl Arnold (2019).

She grew up on a family homestead east of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In the fall of 1946, the family sold the farm and migrated to Chilliwack, British Columbia. Where they became active members of the community. She worked at the Young Road Grocery and later was on staff for the opening of the first Canada Safeway location on Mill St. She later married Howard Booker in 1950, whom she likely met at Chilliwack Bowling lanes where she and Chuck were outstanding players. Bowling also brought life-long friends like the Woods, the Penners and the Hartleys.

As a result of motherhood, she made a transition to a career as homemaker. She was stern but fair in raising two boys. Eventually a proud grandmother and great grandmother. Family was central to her life and generally close at hand, who could forget the great Christmas dinners with all her extended family at Uncle Cliffs place.

She was actively involved in the Chilliwack United Church for more than 75 years and over that time developed many many friends in that community. She was in the choir for many years, she was active in the United Church Women for many decades and until the Church thrift shop was closed as a result of the pandemic she volunteered there every Friday for many years, always bringing home the odd treasure to further fill her closets and drawers. She was always proud of the fact that her lifetime of service was recognized in 2007, with the Bread and Roses Award for outstanding contributions to Community.

Joyce and Chuck liked camping and the outdoors, we had memorable weekend adventures on logging roads up and down Chilliwack River valley. Every summer brought camping trips to Tuc-el-nuet Lake, in the early 1970’s they purchased a camping lot at Whatcom Meadows in Washington State. She spent many weekends and summers down at the “lot” enjoying neighbours’ friends only giving up the property at 88 when she could no longer make the drive solo.

She was fiercely independent which is why she would not leave her beloved condo and dismissed any notions of moving into a care facility up until it was no longer a choice.

She had a wonderful life of family, lifelong friends and service. We will miss her.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 am on May 6th at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Ave. Chilliwack BC.

Honorary Pallbearers include: Sheila Donaldson, Brenda Warawa, Bruce Bell, Kenneth Bell, Dale Arnold, Wayne Mc Munn and Lorne Cope

Memorial donations may be made to Cheam View United Church