Beatrice Joyce Edwards

Joyce Edwards, nee Matthews, of Assiniboia Sask., passed away November 1, 2012 at the age of 88 years.

Predeceased by her parents, William and Alma Matthews, her first husband, Alan Radcliffe, daughter Gloria, son Gary, granddaughter Joanne Thompson; four sisters: Marion, Jean Aillen (Kelly) Horseman and Doreen (Jack) Stickle, and four brothers: John, Frank, Roy (Phyllis) and Doug Matthews; brothers and sisters-in-law: George (June) Edwards, Dick (May) Edwards and Bert Edwards. Joyce is survived by Jim, her husband of 59 years, daughter Donna (Leon) Banadyga of Assiniboia, daughter-in-law Eleanor Radcliffe of Calgary, sister Elleanor Edwards of Ft Qu’Appelle, sister-in-law Hedy Matthews-Lockhart of Regina, 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Joyce was born Beatrice Joyce Matthews on November 28, 1923 and was the seventh child in a family of ten. As was not uncommon for the time, Joyce was born at home on her parent’s farm in the Sintaluta district. Joyce took her schooling at Spring Brook School until she began working outside of home, around the age of 14 years, beginning with being the hired girl for some of the neighbouring farms during thrashing time. This began a long life of hard work but it was something that Joyce did as a lifestyle and was something that she enjoyed and took satisfaction in. One of Joyce’s jobs was for a family by the name of Radcliffe. It was there that she met and then in 1941, married Alan Radcliffe. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter Gloria in 1944 and their son Gary in 1947. Grief entered Joyce’s life when Alan passed away suddenly in 1951. Joyce met Jim Edwards and they were married in 1953. Then in addition to Gloria and Gary, a daughter, Donna, was born.

After a time farming, Joyce and Jim moved their family to Fort Qu’Appelle and Jim took employment with the Dept of Highways. Joyce, in addition to raising a family, worked in Reekies Grocery Store as well as sometimes for families around town. In 1964 Jim was transferred to Assiniboia as a foreman with the Dept of Highways, so there came another move. Joyce worked at the Assiniboia Coop and at the Mcleods store for Lapards. This family bloomed and began to spread out. Jim left the Dept of Hwy in 1972 and they then moved to Calgary to where Gary and his wife Eleanor, as well as Donna, had begun their lives as young adults.

While in Calgary, Joyce worked in the Red Grille at Woolco on McLeod Tr South until in about 1984, when they moved to Moose Jaw. I feel safe in saying that no one at that place of employment had witnessed such a strong work ethic when Joyce had to be sent home from work because she had double pneumonia but had to be at work anyway. She also became somewhat of a local celebrity with the cheesecake that she made on a regular basis in that restaurant.

During her time in Calgary, Joyce found great gladness with the addition of four more grandchildren, adding to Gloria’s three children. She also had to endure more terrible grief with the sudden passing of her daughter Gloria in 1979 and her infant granddaughter, Joanne, in 1982.

The move to Moose Jaw meant retirement, and finally a chance to stay at home. This lasted until in 1997, when they returned to Assiniboia. Joyce had another terrible tragedy to endure with the sudden passing of her son, Gary in 2009.

Joyce took pleasure in many things. She took pride in her garden in the summer and the preserving of it in the fall. She enjoyed watching curling on TV in the winter. She would spend hours knitting or crocheting in front of the TV or sometimes she would just play solitaire. She also enjoyed baking, it seemed that she always had a cake or a square or a slice either in the planning stages or in the oven. There was always the carrot pudding to be made in the fall. In later years, Joyce very much enjoyed playing the machines. When someone would say to her that maybe it was time to go home, she would usually say something like “just a couple more 20’s” but she always seemed to know when to quit.

Most of all, Joyce took great pride and love in her family. There was no one in the world like her grandchildren and she fairly shone with the thought of those great grandchildren.

With all of the trials that Joyce had to endure, she never lost the sense of welcome and hospitality. No one ever entered her house without the offer of at least coffee and cake and she was always ready to sit and visit.

Joyce had a work ethic that would put most of us to shame, a giving heart as big as all outdoors and a love of family that knew no bounds. This is the legacy that she has passed to her children and her grandchildren and she did it well, not by instruction but by example.

Joyce, I know that you are listening so please know that you are loved and you are missed. Sleep well – you’ve earned it.

Service of Remembrance was held Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Ross Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK. Pastor Arden Barden officiated. Tribute was given by Leon Banadyga. Urn Bearer was grandson, Kevin Radcliffe. Interment followed in Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia, SK. Donations in Memory of Joyce may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of SK., 279 3rd Ave. N. Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com