Obituary of Joyce Luella Collins

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully in Calgary, June 5, 2005 at the age of 83 years. Joyce was born in Unity SK, the third child of Charles and Greta Hare. She moved to Loon Lake SK, at age 10. She was a straight A student, milked cows, helped in the family store, learned Cree, and perfected her Tarzan yell. Joyce took her nurses’ training at Saskatoon City Hospital during the war years, graduating as an R.N. in 1944. After working in Duncan BC and northern SK, she met and married Wilkie Collins, they moved to Winnipeg, and raised their three daughters. Joyce passed to them her love of reading, education, and her strong work ethic, and values such as honesty and justice, and her enjoyment of friends and family occasions. While in Winnipeg, Joyce nursed part time, was a founder of Windsor Park United Church, played bridge, was an active freelance writer and member of the Canadian Authors Association. Joyce moved to Victoria in 1979, continuing her career, as well as caring for family and renewing close friendships with her nursing alumni. She loved the ocean and took pleasure in beachcombing, viewing sailing regattas, and even ferry rides! She also traveled: to CAA conferences, Europe, down the Oregon coast, and a Caribbean cruise. In 1999 Joyce moved to Calgary, to be near family. Two highlights while she was in Calgary, were the celebration of her 80th birthday, and the 60th anniversary reunion of graduation from nursing school. Go gentle into that good night. Joyce leaves to cherish her memory, her three daughters, Linda (Stewart) Paterson, Donna (Ernie) Lohrenz and Andrea Collins, as well as four grandchildren, Tara, David, Chris, and Steve (Angela and Adam). A memorial service will be held in Calgary in July. Memorial tributes may be made directly in Joyce’s memory to STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB.T2E 8M7 Telephone: (403) 295-1811 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 3Y6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca In living memory of Joyce Collins, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.