Mrs. Joyce Aurlie Spinks

Jo passed away peacefully in the early morning, at home and not alone. In her 98th year she had only been in the hospital for an illness for a brief time this past July. She immediately chose to forget it and was adamant in her determination to maintain her prized independence. She was successful. Jo was predeceased by Norm with whom she had a 70 year marriage based on love, friendship, devotion, laughter and unshakeable mutual respect. She is survived by Jeff and Heather Spinks, Nancy Spinks and Paul Edwards, grandsons Brendan (Martine) and Macgregor (Tanja) and great granddaughters, Georgiana and Michaela Spinks. She will also be missed by her special friend Jaye, her companion, Anna and the many friends she made and retained who were generations younger than she was.

Jo and Norm were members and perfect examples of the “greatest generation” and sadly their numbers are diminishing. Through their humility, accomplishments, self-sacrifice and family building they provided an example for all of us to try and follow.

Jo was a devoted family person. She put Norm on a pedestal equal in height to the one on which he placed her. When he arrived home from work he was always greeted by Jo looking like she was dressed for a first date. Even though she never mastered boating or driving a car and held no great affection for rattlesnakes, she happily stayed all summer at a water access cottage, initially without power, so that Jeff and Nancy could enjoy, without interruption, all that cottage living had to offer. The cottage became her favorite place. She felt that the loon should have been named the national bird.

As a grandmother she turned it up a notch. She adored her grandsons and the feeling was mutual. She was with both of them from the first day of their lives and participated and followed each day thereafter. She knew each of her great granddaughters and was surrounded by their pictures proudly displayed throughout her home. A day couldn’t go by without Jo insisting on hearing some news from the UK. Jo was interested in people and easily gained the respect and love of both the friends of her children and grandchildren.

The family is deeply touched by the many thoughtful and accurate descriptions of Jo that have been received. From these people we hear that, in their opinion, Jo was: outspoken, humorous, quick, sincere, supportive, strong spirited, interested in others, a glass half full person, a perfect example of a life well lived, larger than life personality, engaging, loving, amazingly strong, impactful, with a magical twinkle in her eye. We agree with all of these!

Prior to marriage and children, Jo was a talented artist. She painted and sculpted. She took instruction from Doris McCarthy and attended OCA where she studied under Arthur Lismer. She was a true war bride being married in 1942 with a last minute stand-in as Norm’s best man. The actual one had flight duty that afternoon. The stories of their early years of marriage while Norm was in service are family legend and will be passed down.

At Jo’s request there will be a family celebration at the cottage after the ice is out. If you ever hear the call of the loon across a lake on a northern morning or evening it might be Jo saying to Norm, “I am here.”