Joyce McCulloch

Joyce Margaret (nee Macpherson) McCulloch died at her beloved Bollard House home in Halifax, NS, last Thursday, just shy of her 84th birthday. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta and was educated at Branksome Hall, Toronto and the University of British Columbia, graduating with a BA in English Literature & Fine Arts. She met an RCN officer by the name of Paul Lancelot Steele McCulloch, a native of Victoria, BC and after a short courtship ("He made me laugh"), the happy couple were married in Southwick, Hants, UK on 25 July 1953. Thus commenced a 56 year partnership that produced five children. As a "Service Wife", Joyce saw the world with her husband and family and made long-lasting friendships wherever she went. After several stints spent on both Canadian coasts and different overseas postings to Greenwich, England, Rome, Italy and Brussels, Belgium, she and Paul spent their considerable energy and talents in retirement to lovingly restoring two historic heritage homes in Nova Scotia: The Bollard House in downtown Halifax, and The Peter Smyth stone house in Port Hood. Joyce was active in several organizations dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Nova Scotia. She was a Past President of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and was an active and vocal member of the Friends of the Halifax Commons, Friends of the Public Gardens, the Chestico Historical Society, Port Hood and the St George's Round Church, Halifax. She leaves her younger sister, Diana Gordon (nee Macpherson) Ker, her five children: sons, Ian, Sandy, and Hugh; daughters, Gillian and Sarah; grandchildren, Henry, Angus, Meaghan, Nelson, Rowan, Morgan and Alexander. Joyce was a devoted wife, a loving mother, an older sister, a genuine friend, a patron of the arts and a passionate heritage activist and conservationist. Courageous and determined in her convictions, Joyce was generous with her time and kind to all she met. She kept the home fires burning for the family when Paul was away at sea. She has now weighed anchor to "cross the bar" and be with her beloved pilot, Paul. Can't you hear the two of them laughing?

Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George's Round Church Hall Restoration Fund, Halifax, NS.

To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com