Joyce was born July 17, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba; the twin daughter of John and Marjorie Farmer. She graduated from Kelvin High School and attended United College. Joyce worked for Great West Life in Winnipeg and then as a research librarian for 3M Company in St. Paul. She was united in marriage to Dr. Wm. Merrick on June 14, 1958. Following her husband’s residency at the University of Minnesota they moved to Duluth in 1963 where he started his Ear, Nose & Throat surgical practice.
Joyce & Bill raised two children, Glenn and Kevin in Duluth, where both still reside. She was involved in many activities as a Red Cross Swimming instructor, the Congdon Park PTA and the Cub Scouts, as well as being a hockey, skiing and baseball mom. Dedication to her volunteer work was prominent and included recording for state services for the blind, “Outlook” transportation for elderly and handicapped, and service projects through the Junior League of Duluth. She was also active in the St. Louis County Medical Auxiliary, Chisholm Museum, Polinsky Rehab and Glensheen.
Joyce loved to travel, especially to many Winter Olympics, skiing all over the country, but especially in Vail. The winter was tempered by spring and fall visits to her home at Hilton Head Island, S.C. and 40+ years of great summers at Lake Vermilion. Her greatest passions were her many dogs, seven yellow Labradors and two Maltese. She was a member of the Northland Country Club and the Kitchi Gammi Club. She loved Glen Avon Church and especially the Christmas Carol services.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, John Seymour Farmer and Agnes Marjorie Puttee.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Bill; sons, Glenn W. (Deborah) and Kevin John; grandchildren, Kyle, Annika and Jordyn; and step-son, Julien, all of Duluth; her twin sister, Elaine (Richard Allden); nieces, Diane (Wayne) Zimmerman and Blake & Brock, Sharon (Jeff) Hollins and Laurin & Corbin; nephew, Brian (Leslie) Allden and Andy, all of Winnipeg; and relatives, Jean Merrick, Garth (Ann Marie) Merrick, all of Quad Cities, and Cathy (Chris) Mortinson of Tampa, FL.
Special thanks to Dr. Joleen Finken, Dr. David Gish, and Hospice of St. Luke’s Hospital and especially to the staff at the Shores Memory Care at Lakeshore for their dedication, compassion, and patience over Joyce’s many years of care. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN 55811, Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave., Duluth, MN 55805, “The Shores” of Lakeshore Memory Care, 4002 London Road, Duluth, MN 55804 or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Service will be 11 AM Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave. Private interment will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery. To leave a memory of Joyce or words of support please visit www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com
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