It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful death of Joyce Carmel MacLean (MacDonald), on Friday July 7, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family. Joyce was born in Glace Bay, NS on May 6, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Joe “The Mayor” MacDonald and Sadie (Black) MacDonald. Joyce has lived in Sydney (Ashby) for the last 45 years, but she grew up on Neville St. in Dominion, NS and was very proud of her Dominion roots.
On August 12, 1961, Joyce married the love of her life, Big Jim MacLean and they raised a beautiful family together. Her family was truly her greatest blessing, and she was proud of everything her children and grandchildren accomplished.
Joyce worked at Maritime Tel & Tel (MT&T) for 40 years, where she made many lifelong friends and was still very social, attending regular outings with her work friends. All things creative flowed effortlessly from Joyce, as if it was in her DNA. Whether it was painting, rug hooking, quilting, or creating stained glass lamps, there was no artistic pursuit she would not try. She was an avid reader, expertly solving the NY Times crossword and WORDLE everyday.
Joyce was a big advocate for health and wellness and loved spending time walking and hiking with her children and grandchildren, where she always shared many a tale. Joyce made sure she was active everyday and that included attending her beloved weekly Bethel Fitness and Friendship exercise classes.
Joyce and Jim were avid travellers and spent many vacations traveling to Florida with The Sydney Millionaires hockey team. They also enjoyed many trips to Europe where they had great fun with close friends. Joyce travelled with her family and friends throughout Canada, USA and Scotland and she toured the Canadian Rockies on the train. She was always up for new travel adventures, particularly traveling through the back roads of Cape Breton with her grandchildren. She had a keen sense of humour and was queen of the one-liners and a talented storyteller. She always made us laugh and supported us through tough times with her caring heart and encouraging words of wisdom.
Joyce grew up spending time at her Grandfather Black’s farm on the Intervale Rd and in 2020 she was ecstatic to be back in her beloved Grand Mira North, spending time at "The Shack” which was so incredibly special to her. Joyce always loved her excursions on her namesake boat “The Joy-Sea”.
Joyce returned to Dominion and in particular, Dominion beach, as often as she could. She would often speak fondly of her family and loved any opportunity to share the local history. She was an expert gardener and loved nothing better than to spend time in her gardens. She passed on this love of gardening to her entire family. Joyce was a devout Catholic and proud member of St. Theresa’s Parish and the CWL. Her faith was an important part of her life and she always had time to pray for those in need.
Joyce will be forever lovingly remembered by her four children; Ronald (Sue), Ottawa, Karen MacLean (Dan MacKinnon), Fall River, Jim (Nancy) Halifax, Debbie (Jim) MacRury, Sydney and her adoring grandchildren Katie, Lauren, Scott, Joseph, Calum, Michael and Rannie. Joyce is also survived by her brother, Gregory (Jeannette) MacDonald, Truro, as well as sisters-in-law, Mona MacDonald, and Sharon MacDonald of Sydney; Paula and Stephen MacLeod, Joyce’s “Hutt” buddies and many loving nieces and nephews who thought Aunt Joyce was the coolest.
Besides her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her husband Big Jim, grandson Gregory (Froto) MacLean; siblings, Mary (Mickey) Gillis, John F. MacDonald, Dan V. MacDonald (Rita), Charles W. MacDonald and Ann (Luke) Gallant; sisters-in-law, Sadie (James) Buchanan, Peggy (Sandy) Sanderson, Irene (Art) McMahon, Rita (Dennis) Natalona, Kay (Frank) Penny and Georgina (George) Walker.
Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel George St. Sydney on Thursday July 13 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday July 14, 2023, at St. Theresa’s Church, Sydney, with Fr. Evo DiPierro and Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating . For those unable to attend, the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via TW Curry's facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA or Soldier On at soldieron.ca. Online condolences to www.twcurry.com.
“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller.
