Joyce Fry

Age 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 25th 2015 at Northwood Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She lived a long life starting in Medford Nova Scotia on June 8th 1916, the only daughter of the late Wylie James West and Mary Agnes Newcombe. She was predeceased by her two brothers Fredrick West (1913-1940) and Roland West (1919-2001). Joyce was raised on a beautiful farm in the Annapolis Valley. She attended the Medford country schoolhouse, and then the King’s County Academy in Kentville. Joyce graduated from the Normal College in Truro in 1934. She started her teaching career at the Wentworth Road School in Windsor Nova Scotia and went on to teach at several other schools in the Valley. In 1944, she married the late Robert William Fry (1908-1991) who was serving in the RCAF as a pilot instructor. Later they settled in Halifax where Bob was a history teacher at Queen Elizabeth High School and Joyce taught adult education at night school. Together they raised a family of two boys in their home on Jubilee Road.

Joyce is survived by her son Robert William Fry (Jr), his wife Carolyn Ann (Crouse) of Falmouth Nova Scotia; and her son Donald Roland Fry and his wife Lori Ann (Debois) of Orleans Ontario. She is also survived by 3 grand children - Heather Dawn (Scott) MacIntyre of Calgary Alberta, Julia Robyn (Trevor) Skaling of Vancouver, BC; Christopher William James Fry of Dartmouth, NS and 4 great grand children – James MacIntyre, Liam MacIntyre, Tristan Skaling, and Grayson Skaling.

Joyce was a member of Emmanuel United Church in Kingsport and then St Andrews United Church in Halifax where she taught Sunday school and was an active member of the United Church Women. She was very proud of her roots in the Valley and the West family heritage. She always had a smile for her friends and words of encouragement for the children.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at Northwood for the excellent care provided to Joyce for the past 15 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced later when the snow banks have disappeared. Memorial donations may be sent to St Andrews United Church, Emmanuel United Church or any charity of your choice.