Mrs. Joyce Lillian Church

Joyce was born to Colin and Lillian (Rose) MacKeracher on their family farm near Plato, Sask. She took her schooling in the Kildare School, Grade 9 by Correspondence and then on to high school in Eston, Sask. From there she attended the Eston Full Gospel Bible Institute and graduated top of her class.

On October 11, 1950, she married Donald (Elmer) Church and lived in Radville, Sask. where they were blessed with 4 children, Donna, Jim, Janice and Janet.

In 1963 they moved to Eston, later Watrous, and finally settled in Saskatoon, Sask. in 1966. In Saskatoon Joyce worked at the Greystone Motel before working at her long-term job at Sherbrooke Nursing Home, which she loved and developed many friendships with the residents. She retired in 1992 after 21 years of service.

Joyce loved to travel and would often take her daughters with her to Europe and the United States. Her favorite trip was to the Netherlands to visit her brother's grave who died in WW2. The daughters referred to Joyce as “Zipper Tours” as she planned and orchestrated all the trips.

She was a whiz at playing family games, especially Skip Bo which she often won (Not sure how that happened!) She had many, many hobbies including sewing, knitting, crocheting, Word Search Puzzles, gardening, tending to her flower bed and baking (especially pies, shortbread cookies, nanaimo bars, cinnamon buns, doughnuts and Christmas cake). The most exciting hobby she had was mastering her iPad at the age of 80. She would often go to see posts on her Facebook page as well as checking her emails and messenger. Playing Solitaire on her iPad was a favorite pastime.

At Special Holidays her house was always filled with all her children and grandchildren. The noise level from all the visiting and laughing resounded throughout the house along with the smells of food being prepared, cooked and baked.

Joyce moved to Oliver Lodge in 2022 where she loved the activities, the music, the road trips and especially the Church Services. Joyce was a firm believer in God her Savior and knew there was a place being prepared for her.

Predeceasing Joyce was her husband Don (Elmer Donald) in 2015 and their son Jim (Donald James), from Saskatoon, in 2022 along with all her brothers; Willard (Peggy), Donald, Norman (Mollie), Robert (Barbara) and Colin (Rowena), Sister-in-Laws Charlotte (Earl) Rasmussen, Ann (Clarence) Little, Shirley (Allen) Huckabay and Brother- in-Law Winston Church. Surviving are her 3 daughters; Donna (Ernie) Schiman from Strathmore, Alberta, Janice (Lyle) Corrigan from Calgary, Alberta, Janet (Larry) Woods from Melfort, Sask. and daughter-in-law, Gail Church (Locke) from Saskatoon, Sask., Sister-in-Laws Edna Miller, May Church, Eunice (Joe) Daku and numerous nieces and nephews. Included in the family was Special Friend Deborah Spence. She leaves a legacy to her 11 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the “Alzheimer Society of Canada” or Oliver Lodge (Angels of Care) in memory of Joyce.