April 23, 1940 – April 20, 2015
At the age of 74 years
Celebration of LIfe: Saturday, May 2, 2015 2:00 p.m.
Salmon Arm Church of Christ, 2460 Auto Rd., Salmon Arm
(Scout Hall)
We are so sad to announce that our dear friend and sister, Joyce Larson passed away on Monday, April 20th, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer, just prior to her 75th birthday. She died peacefully surrounded by her church family and friends.
Joyce was predeceased by her first husband Evan Larson, her third husband Don Oliver and her sons Shane, Brian, Derrick and Wade Walsh. She is survived by her brothers William and Blair Patterson and sisters Elva Rogers and Nellie Patterson as well as her sister-in-law Joan Mounce and brother and sister-in-law Glen and Eleanor Larson. Other surviving family members include her foster daughter Eva Bailey, granddaughter Montana Bialey, ex-husband Gerald Walsh and her “adopted” grandson Gary Baars.
Joyce was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia on April 23, 1940 and sadly, her mother died within a few months of the birth. During her childhood, Joyce lived with her aunt and later with her father and step-mother. She came to British Columbia, the first time in 1960, then returned in 1964, travelling by train with four young children to meet her husband in Coal Harbour. Joyce resided in several other BC communities including Vancouver, Chilliwack, Surrey and Revelstoke before moving to Salmon Arm. During her life, Joyce was an active member in a number of organizations; Al Anon, Citizens on Patrol and Power Pioneers.
Joyce was a small lady with a “larger than life” personality. She touched the lives of many people and dispensed her homespun Maritime wisdom to all who knew her! Joyce loved and valued people and cared for them unconditionally without prejudice. She was especially fond of children and delighted in her interactions with them.
Joyce will be greatly missed by her church family, friends at MacIntosh Grove and the Senior’s Centre as well as her relatives in BC and Nova Scotia.
We thank the doctors and nurses of Shuswap Lake General Hospital for the kind and professional care. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to ShuswapHospitalFoundation.org 250-803-4546.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at the Salmon Arm Church of Christ on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 at 2:00 PM (located at the scout Hall, 2460 Auto Rd., Salmon Arm, BC). Lunch and fellowship will follow the service.
We were feel the loss of Joyce as do all of the cribbage players at the Senior Centre. We so appreciated her sense of humour and her ability to make us all feel comfortable around her. We were all so hoping for her recovery as she fought such a battle to win.
Audrey remarked what an honest, hard-working and fun-loving person to do volunteer work with. We feel sorrow for her family and close friends.
We knew Joyce well through the Power Pioneers here in Salmon Arm …a very regular member …Rest in Peace Joyce !