Obituary of Joyce Muriel BILTON

February 14, 1925 – Leslie, SK August 12, 2015 – Calgary, AB On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, Joyce Muriel Bilton aged 90, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family in the Mayfair Care Centre, in Calgary, Alberta. Joyce was born on February 14, 1925 in the family home near Leslie, Saskatchewan to Margaret and Earnest Ridley. Joyce grew up knowing the definition of hard work, starting her career at age 15 working for various farms in the area, doing house work, looking after poultry and tending the fields. During the Second World War, Joyce moved to Ajax, Ontario along with her sisters, Gladys and Maree to become ‘Bomb Girls’ working in the munitions factory producing detonators for anti-aircraft shells. After a brief time in the dietary kitchen at the St. George Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joyce settled in Saltcoats Saskatchewan, and began working at the Richardson Turkey Hatchery. At age 22, she met Thomas Bilton and they were married August 8, 1953. Together they enjoyed travelling and dancing with their Square Dancing group ‘The Gay Squares’ as well as being involved members in the community. Joyce worked at the Turkey Hatchery in Saltcoats for 18 years. On June 14, 1961, Joyce and Tom welcomed a son named Larry Thomas. The family lived in Saltcoats until 1970 when they moved to Winnipeg for 2 years, before returning to Yorkton where she resided for the following 39 years. With the passing of Thomas in 2009, she moved to Calgary to be closer to Larry and his family. While her heart remained in Yorkton/Saltcoats area, she enjoyed being closer to her beloved grandchildren. Joyce was a gardener taking pride in fruits and vegetables that she produced. In later years Joyce was an active volunteer with the Yorkton chapter of the Sask Tel Pioneers. Joyce will be missed by her son and daughter-in-law Larry and Ghislaine; her grandchildren Megan and Brayden; her three sisters Maree, Gertie (Jack) and Rene (Cecil); and many cherished nieces and nephews. Joyce was predeceased by her mother and father, Margaret and Earnest; her husband Thomas of 56 years; her brother George; her sisters Eileen and Gladys; her sister-in-law Georgina; her brothers-in-law Elwyn, Walter, Fred, Bill and Arnold. An Interment Ceremony will be held in the future at the Saltcoats Cemetery Columbarium, SK. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire donations can be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation www.heartandstroke.ab.ca. In living memory of Joyce Bilton, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th STREET S.E.. Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.