Joyce Sjerve

With great sadness we share the news of the loss of Joyce Kristina Sjerve on June 17, 2026 at the age of 84. She leaves behind her beloved husband Denis of 63 years, her children Eric (Alenka) and Sarah (Laurie), grandchildren Michael Robinson, Samantha (Tyler) Ries, Cameron (Nastasia) Sjerve and Brendan Sjerve, and her great grandchildren Lilah, Rose and Leon.

Joyce was born in Vancouver, BC to parents Olaf and Grace Nelsen and grew up in Kitsilano going to Henry Hudson school. She grew up with many cousins, uncles and aunts in the area on her mother’s side of the family that she spent time with. She attended the Pitman trade school to learn typing after graduating from high school. It was during this time that she met Denis Sjerve, whom she would marry in 1963. After this they spent time in Berkeley California and Zurich Switzerland, before settling back in Vancouver for the remainder of her life.

They started a family, with Eric and Sarah, and bought what was to be the family home in Kerrisdale in 1976. She would be in this home until her passing in 2026. Joyce had many passions in life that she pursued.

Travel was something that she really enjoyed, and her and Denis travelled to many countries and spent many years cruising. One location that she liked in particular was Norway, where she did three cruises across the North Cape and enjoyed visiting family in Norway. Another passion of Joyce was their cabin on Saturna Island, that they owned for 26 years. She enjoyed spending time there and met many friends on the island that she enjoyed visiting.

She also had a life-long passion for knitting and needlework, and she made many cushions and blankets for family and friends.

Joyce will be dearly missed by members of her community, her church community and most of all by her family.

The funeral will be held on Friday June 26th, 2026 starting at 1:30 PM at the Pacific Spirit United Church at 2195 West 45th Avenue in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pacific Spirit United Church.