Obituary of Joyce Margaret Cunningham

February 2, 1931 – Greenock, Scotland

July 6, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Joyce, our beloved mother, granny, and dear friend passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the age of 93 years.

While she lived a full, happy, and long life, along with that came much loss. She was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Janet, her daughter Audrey in 2002, son Don in 2019, and many close and cherished family members, friends, and pets.

She is survived by her son Stewart, her son Don’s widow Tanya, her grandchildren, Jennifer (Matthew) Armstrong, Kyle and Justin Cunningham, and Isabella Lamont, and her great-grandchildren, Asher and Audrey Armstrong.

Joyce was born in Greenock, Scotland, to Henry (Harry) and Janet (Jenny) Chandler on February 2, 1931. While she experienced living through war and rations, she had a happy childhood surrounded by family and made friendships that lasted her lifetime.

She trained at college to become a secretary and later met John Cunningham. They married and had two children, Stewart and Audrey, in Scotland. They emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1964 and welcomed their third child, Donald. She lived the rest of her incredible life in Canada.

She worked as a secretary and administrative assistant at the University of Calgary’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Regional Fertility Program for 26 years until she retired, and a bit beyond. She made many meaningful friendships during her time there and enjoyed her work.

She enjoyed travelling, and she did it extensively over the years. This included trips back home to Scotland and the UK, where she cherished time and travel with family; and to Europe, where she enjoyed close friendships that spanned decades and continents. She truly enjoyed seeing other parts of the world, and the people she did it with.

She was a loyal and dedicated friend to many incredible people whom she loved with her whole heart.

Joyce was above all an incredibly devoted and loving mother and Granny. We were blessed with so many years filled with countless cherished moments as a family. Although we have peace knowing she has finally reunited with so many loved ones she has grieved over the years, we are left grieving her, but also filled with gratitude for every moment we had.

Those who loved her knew an incredibly strong, resilient, spirited, and loyal woman who loved unconditionally and unreservedly. She was truly an incredible human being, and all of us are better having known her.

Her granddaughter Jennifer would like to thank the staff of the Foothills Medical Centre’s Emergency Department for their exceptional and compassionate care. Many thanks also to the staff at McKenzie Towne Independent and Supportive Living.

Service details will be announced at a later date.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, a cause that was important to her.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Joyce’s family here.

In living memory of Joyce Cunningham, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.