Joy Arlene (Young) Martin

Joy Arlene (Young) Martin of Raymond passed away peacefully on Sunday July 21, 2024, at the age of 84 years.

Joy is survived by her daughters Deborah Martin and Karen Dahl, her grandson Cody Dahl, two sisters Wendy (Ted) Mellish (Mississauga, Ontario) Teresa Meunier (St Catherine’s, Ontario), great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.   

Joy was predeceased in 2002 by her husband, Russell Harold Martin;- her parents Herbert Edward Young (1970) and Jessie Elizabeth (Young) Young (1987); her brothers:  Barry Malcom Young (2011), Michael Terry Young (2021), and William (Bill) Andrew Young (2020); her sisters Betty-Lou (Young) Sproat (2021) and Kandy Loretta (Young) Froese (2000).

Joy was born on July 31, 1939, in St. Catharine's, Ontario. She moved to Halifax/Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 1958 when she married Russell H Martin, a serviceman in the Canadian Navy. They relocated to Raymond, Alberta in 1979 where she spent the remainder of her years.

Joy enjoyed being active and learning new skills. As the owner of Metro Flowers and Gifts in Nova Scotia she became a talented florist. She studied upholstery and applied those skills. She took a computer course at the Lethbridge college but never did grasp an understanding of technology. She took other courses which led to internships at the Galt Museum and a picture framing store.

Joy was an interior decorator and her skills were tested when she decorated a tiny submarine cabin for the captain. She applied her eye for balance and colour to oil painting. Her house is filled with beautiful art she created herself.

Even though she did not like the sun or gardening she took particular pride in her yard. She was honoured with Yard of the Week in September 2014.

Joy worked as the manager of a fabric store. She sold window blinds to Hutterite colonies in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana and developed deep and lasting friendships with members of the colonies. She very reluctantly retired in her late seventies.

Joy volunteered for charities throughout her years including a suicide hotline and meals on wheels. She had a compassionate heart and was willing to help those in need in whatever ways she was able.

She was a loyal and caring friend.

Joy was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She had always been a searcher for truth and found it when the missionaries knocked on her door in Nova Scotia. She was called to serve in many capacities in the church and was faithful until the end. She particularly loved serving alongside Loyia Heggie in compassionate service. She served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Lethbridge LDS Family Services office and was devastated when her time of service came to a conclusion.

Joy found a way to extend her missionary service through financial help to many young missionaries. She was grateful she was able to support the building of the Kingdom of God. She enjoyed hearing about their mission experiences in their letters and when they came to visit her after returning home.

She has missed Russell tremendously over the past 22 years. Her passing is the best birthday present she could have imagined – reunion with her husband, mother and other loved ones. Happy Birthday Joy, Mom, Grannie!

The funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Knight Street Chapel, (260 East 200 North) Raymond, Alberta on her birthday July 31, 2024, at 11 am. Burial to follow at Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta.

Live-stream will be available, and a link will appear 15 min before service time below this obituary.

"We do not Remember Days, We Remember Moments"

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