Joycelyn Noreen Duncan

Joycelyn (Joyce) Noreen Duncan

July 25, 1931 – April 30, 2018

If you remember me,

I will be with you always.

For every time you think of me,

I will be right there in your heart.

It is with great sadness that the family of Joyce Duncan, announces her passing on April 30, 2018.  Joyce fought a valiant fight with cancer and died with the grace with which she lived her life.  Her spirit is carried on by her children, Mark (Sue), Kim (Lorie), Tracy (Rick), and Lake (Anita).  She is also survived by ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, two siblings, and an extended family of dear friends and acquaintances.  Joyce was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Charles Russell, her husband, Robert (Bob) Duncan, her daughter, Bonnie, her brother, Freeman, and her sister, Edith.

Mom, Gramma, GG, Aunty, Joyce was an original.  She loved celtic music, bagpipes, shopping,  decorating, cooking, fancy shoes, gardening, baking, red wine, dog walking, renovating, cooking shows, hard work, helping others, and angels—each and every one of you.  Joyce was unique in that she measured the success of her life, by her devotion to loving and caring for others.  Joyce was happiest when she was making other people happy.  Whether it was baking something yummy, sending a card, bundling a package of treasures, Joyce always found a way to touch the hearts and lives of others.  While it was a joy to receive a delicious banana loaf, a surprise to receive a musical card, or a delight to open a package of goodies, Joyce’s true gift was that she made each of us feel like the most special person in the world.

Joyce’s selfless determination to care for others can be linked to her sense of exactitude in living life.  In her view, life was not an ordinary pursuit; rather, it was through the pursuit of everyday ordinary activities that one’s life was extraordinary.  Some would say she had a work ethic, but she had, more accurately, a life ethic.  She made a habit of working hard every day.  Her persistent efforts and sacrifice allowed her to raise a large family when times were lean.  Joyce, alongside her husband, Bob, braving all weather and life conditions, ran a successful renovation and siding company.  Along the way, as there is in life, there were obstacles.  Some days, Joyce had no idea how she was going to do it, but she always got it done.  With the ups and downs of life, Joyce found joy in the ups and courage during the downs.  Of lessons learned from Joyce, the most powerful is that success—in family, life, and work—requires hard work, persistence, sacrifice, and most of all, loving what you do, and loving those you do it with.

While the sun has set for our beloved, Joyce, let each day moving forward be graced with the light and warmth she brought into each of our lives.  To honour our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend, live life well.  Treasure each day and love each other.  Our time on this earth is short, but our memories long.  Remember Joyce, because she always remembered you.  She loved each and every one of you—dearly.  Remembering Joyce will be easy, missing her will be difficult.  While the days ahead are sad ones, remember to smile when you think of Joyce, because, most certainly, she is smiling back at all of us.

Please join family and friends in celebrating Joyce’s life at Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, 703 – 13 Street, North, Lethbridge, AB., at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 12, 2018.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Canadian Cancer Foundation.

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