Joyce Engstrom

Joyce was predeceased by her beloved husband Gordon, her son Paul, grandson Michael and six of the siblings in her close-knit family. She is survived by her sister Shirley and brother Ron. She will be deeply missed by daughter Heather, daughter-in-law Polly and son-in-law Rick, granddaughters Jenn, Amanda and April, and great-grandchildren Jeremy, Lily and Audrey – as well as by her large and vibrant extended family.

Joyce’s life began in Rockhaven, Saskatchewan, on July 14, 1921, as the fourth of nine in the Medd family. She was raised in farming country and told many stories of a happy tomboy childhood enriched with siblings, cousins, school friends and music.

In 1938 the family moved to Alberta. Four years later, aged 21, she married the love of her life, Gordon, and with him spent her working life transforming 800 acres of Alberta wilderness into a prosperous beef and grain farm. She was an unmatchable gardener, curler, seamstress, community spirit – and mother of two.

In 1977 Gordon and Joyce sold up the farm to “retire” to a 1-acre waterfront home in Nanaimo. Here she lived within a stone’s throw of all her siblings. She braved the long flight to Australia five times to be with daughter Heather and her family, and visited back and forth with son Paul and his family in Alberta. She spent 20 winters in Arizona drumming, playing tennis and socialising with siblings and friends – excelling as always because she put heart and soul into everything. Deeply saddened by the passing in 2002 of her cherished husband, her son Paul, her brother Walter and nephew Randy, she nonetheless got back on her feet and full-heartedly spent her time drumming for seniors in two bands, as well as keeping home and garden in perpetual beauty.

She moved into Dover House Care Home in 2016, aged 95, where she participated in their lively community and was wonderfully cared for. She declined rapidly after a fall and broken hip in March this year, when she could no longer be mobile and independent. But she kept her spirit of life and sense of humour right to the end.

In the words of a friend, “We can’t replace these beautiful elders, and the world won’t be the same without them.”

An informal celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at her home at 6712 Medd Road, Nanaimo, on June 10th at 2:30 pm. Please come, and if you have a favourite story, bring it with you to tell.

Sleep well, dear Joyce. You richly deserve it.