Joyce May Luther

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce May Luther (nee Willoughby), our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, at the age of 94 years on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard (Dick); son Byron; brothers: Elgin (Flina), Lyle (Evelyn), Wendell and Don; sister Avis (Jerome) Dolter; brothers-in-law Albert (Beatrice) Luther and Norman Luther and sister-in-law Kay (Victor) Clark.

Joyce is survived by daughters Darlene (Garry) Dixon and Cheryl Luther; son Bevan (Gail) Luther; daughter-in-law Jeanette Luther; grandchildren: Todd (Barb) Dixon, Bart (Patty) Dixon, Rae Luther, Dawn -Luther, Michael Wright, Andrew Wright, Shayla Driscoll (Dayna Krenbrink) and Megan (Brendan) Greenslade; great-grandchildren: Matthew and Annika Dixon, Reece and Donovan Dixon, Hallie and Lyndon Luther, John Wright, Londyn Krenbrink and great-great-granddaughter Sophia. Joyce is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Inez (Jack Brady); sisters-in-law Eileen Willoughby and Mona Willoughby; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joyce grew up on the family farm in the Spring Coulee district northwest of Sintaluta, attended Spring Coulee School from Grades 1 to 10 and Sintaluta School for Grade 11 & 12. She had many great adventures while growing up on the farm, which in 2012 prompted her to write an 18 page book entitled “Fond Childhood Memories” which ended with the words, “We had it all!”. Joyce met Dick during high school and when he joined the armed forces Joyce attended Normal School and received a Teachers’ Certificate. Joyce and Dick were married in 1948 and moved on to the farm that Dick had bought in Pheasant Plains district on the north side of the Qu’Appelle Valley north of Sintaluta. Their four children were born while they lived on the farm. To help supplement failing crops due to hail or drought Joyce taught for a term at Maple Green School in the district next to the farm. In order to make ends meet the family temporarily moved to Regina in 1958 where Joyce substitute taught moving back to the farm in 1959. In the fall of 1961, with the best interest of the family in mind, Joyce and Dick made the difficult decision to leave the farm and move to Regina. For several years Joyce did substitute teaching until getting a full time contract with the Regina Public School Board.

Both Joyce and Dick loved to travel and this included trips to Mexico, Europe, the British Isles and the United States. As well, they spent many summers exploring Saskatchewan in either their tent trailer, truck camper or motorhome. One of their favorite camping spots was LaRonge, and in 1985 purchased a cottage built on a rock cliff on Burns Island about a 20 minute boat ride from LaRonge. The cottage would become Joyce and Dick’s summer haven for many years to come where family and friends would visit and always be treated with great hospitality. After retirement Joyce and Dick became snowbirds, spending several months each winter in Phoenix, Arizona. Here, Joyce attended some art classes which resulted in some wonderful paintings.

Joyce remained at the house on Toronto Street after Dick’s death until 2012 when she decided to move to Wintergreene Estates senior living complex. She took an active part in many of the wonderful activities offered and developed many friendships. Joyce spent 10 years in an independent suite until, due to health reasons, had to be moved to Haven House, a care home section of Wintergreene Estates for residents with memory loss issues. Joyce enjoyed her time at Haven House until her passing.

We wish to thank the Haven House staff for the wonderful care and friendship they gave to Mom.

The funeral service was held in the Tubman Funeral Home Chapel, Wolseley, Saskatchewan on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with Shannon Novak officiating. The interment followed in Sintaluta Cemetery.