Margaret Joyce Chown

Joyce passed away August 4th, 2016 peacefully at the White Hills Long Term Care Facility in Hammonds Plains at the age of 89. Predeceased by her brother Farrell Chown (Margaret Wilde). Missed by her sister Adaire (George Schlatter) and brothers Ralph (Marcelle Desrosiers) and Alexander (Heather Glover). Aunt of Gray (Joanne Desforge), Adaire (David Scott), Murray (Beth Hill), Kent (Heidi Whipple), Sue Schlatter, Bruce Schlatter, Jeffrey (Jennifer Macdonald), Gregory and Eric. Joyce was born May 24, 1927 in Winnipeg.

Joyce was a student, teacher, and researcher of the textile arts, avid collector and advocate of crafts in all forms and gardener. Joyce continues to be a financial supporter of students’ access to textile education.

In 1949 Joyce received a diploma in Fine Arts from Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB and then taught weaving at the university the following year. In 1951 - 52 she furthered her studies in Stockholm, Sweden majoring in weaving. From 1953-57 Joyce was Assistant Director, Handicrafts, NS Dept of Trade and Industry. In 1957 Joyce and Mary Black were co-owners and co-editors of Shuttlecraft, a technical journal for handweavers published in Halifax. Joyce realized that she would need more advanced academic training to advance in her field. To this end she returned to Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba where she received her BA in 1962. She then travelled to Cranbrook Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI to enroll in the graduate Fine Arts Program. There she received a BFA in 1964 and a MFA in 1966 (weaving) which led to an Assistant Professor position at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. From 1968-75 Joyce held the position of Master of Fabrics Design, Sheridan College School of Design in Mississauga, ON. In 1975 Joyce moved to Mohr’s Corners near Arnprior ON, to pursue her own weaving and to provide weaving and dyeing workshops in the province. In 1979 Joyce was offered and accepted the position of Associate Professor, Weaving and Fabric Design, at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University in Halifax. The following year she added Chairperson, Craft Division, positions she held and dearly loved until her retirement in 1993 with the distinction of Professor Emeritus.

The following remained constant to the very end: a dry wit, the enjoyment of company of family and friends and, most importantly, a passionate love of colour.

A Celebration of Life will be held this Fall in Dartmouth.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Charitable Gift Funds Canada - RBC Dominion Securities Inc, 1400-1959 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3N2, Attn: Michelle Mills-Wood. The “re-line” on the front of a cheque should indicate: Joyce Chown Fund, Donations over $50 will be provided a Tax Receipt. Her fund supports the Textile Department at NSCAD.

Online condolences may be viewed or sent at: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com