Joyce Ellen Polischuk

It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce on Sunday February 9th, 2025, peacefully in her sleep.

Joyce was born in Kenora on December 13th, 1932.

On June 28th, 1958, Joyce and Andy got married at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Kenora.

She is survived by her sons Jim (Angela), Rob and two beautiful grandchildren, Laura and Ian, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her mother and father Sydney and Rose, husband and love of her life Andy, sister Verna, and son Larry.

Joyce worked at Sutcliffe’s until retirement selling insurance where she was proud to serve the residents of Kenora and was highly respected by so many. After her retirement, every second Tuesday of the month she would go with the “Golden Girls” of Sutcliffe’s for lunch. These were friends she kept in touch with for decades.

At a young age, Joyce found herself going on new adventures and travelling as much as she could, as well as travelling across the country with her friend shortly after high school. After she met Andy, they went on countless winter vacations to Cuba, New Zealand, Hawaii, Jamaica and Barbados. Joyce and Andy enjoyed taking their sons on countless vacations and in their retirement, they spent most winters in Mazatlan.

Joyce loved the outdoors as she would spend hours making her house beautiful with plants and took great pride with her begonias on her front porch. She had a great love for her pet deer, skunks, fox and bears that she would watch grow and wander outside her home. During the winter months while she was younger, Joyce would be found cross country skiing whenever she could.

When she wasn’t at home, she would often be found at the family camp on Botanist Lake with Andy and the boys where they enjoyed the occasional cold one on the deck overlooking the gorgeous views or catching walleye at her “hot spot”. After Andy found a passion for flying, the two of them would fly to camp and other lakes so Joyce could catch some fish and see lakes she’s never been to. Aside from their family camp, she would enjoy time with her lifelong friend Betty at her family camp on Coney Island or spend summer days at Trout Lake with her family. Some of her fondest memories were paddling to camp with Marlene and the girls for their annual weekend getaway. She also spent summer days at her aunt and uncle’s log cabin on Treaty Island. No matter where she was spending her time in the summer, she was in the lake swimming and would never pass up an opportunity for water skiing or parasailing.

After her grandchildren were born, Joyce became their biggest fan and supporter. When Laura and Ian returned home from a day of fishing, she would come over to see their catch from the day. As they got older, she taught them how to make her delicious cabbage rolls and how to make their Grampa Andy’s famous ribs. Some of their fondest memories together are paddling up the Muskeg River into camp while she insisted on helping Rob paddle while she was in her late 80’s!

There will be no service held for Joyce. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer.

REMEMBER

Remember her with a smile today

She was not one for tears,

Reflect instead, on memories

Of all the happy years.

Recall to mind the way she spoke

And all the things she said,

Her strength, her stance,

The way she walked

Remember these instead.

The good advice she gave us

Her eyes that shone with laughter,

So much of her that never dies

But lives on ever after.

She was a woman of honesty,

Integrity and pride,

Important was the way she lived

Not the way she died.

If a tear should fall today

Perhaps it shall be shed

For the many years without her there

That still lie far ahead.