July 4th, 1931 - February 25th, 2025
It is with sad hearts that we announce the death of our beloved mother and grandmother, Joyce Pearson, who passed away peacefully in her 94th year at Groves Memorial Community Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Joyce was predeceased (2018) by her husband of nearly 64 years, G. Howard (Howie) Pearson. She will be dearly missed by her son Michael Pearson (Anna Marie Hartley) and daughter Laurie Pearson (David Turvey) as well as grandchildren Benjamin Doerksen (Emma Smith), Hattie Doerksen (Marc Ayotte), Noah Turvey (Charlotte) and Max Turvey (Kathyrn). Also much beloved Grandmama to her great grandson, Kyza Carr and great grandbaby-to-be. She was also predeceased by her parents, Jack and Dorothy Suddaby, and son-in-law Doug Doerksen.
Joyce was born on July 4, 1931, in Brantford Ontario. She grew up in West Brant, graduated from 'The BCI' and, in 1954, married Howie in Brantford where they lived, worked and raised a family.
After her retirement from the Public Utilities Commission of Brantford, a job she greatly enjoyed, Joyce and Howie built their new home in Port Rowan in the Villages of Long Point Bay. There, they created many wonderful memories with family and cherished friends, old and new, at 'The Lake'. As children, Ben and Hattie delighted in wonderful grandparent holidays and enjoying fishing, boating, days at the beach, swimming at the Clubhouse, breakfasts in bed and generally being spoiled and adored. While in Port Rowan Joyce was an active member of St John's Anglican Church. Joyce and Howie also enjoyed travelling, often to visit Michael and Anna at locations around the world.
After the death of her husband, Joyce moved to Heritage River Retirement Residence in 2019, in order to be closer to Laurie and David and her family in Elora. She attended church at St John's in Elora and enjoyed the worship services at her retirement residence. During her 5 years in Elora, she enjoyed making new friends, being close to her family, and was able to share in many celebrations.
Throughout her life, Joyce was a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi, a talented pianist, avid reader and book club member, excellent cook, lover of a gourmet meal, a good cup of Earl Grey tea and a dry martini. Well-liked, Joyce had an uncanny ability to make people feel comfortable and was a confidante to many.
Joyce was, at her core, a woman of strong, quiet faith who delighted in the simple joys of life. She accepted the end of her life with grace. She was, and will be, a role model to friends and family for how to have a life well-lived.
Special thanks to the compassionate doctors and nursing staff at Groves Memorial Community Hospital who cared for our mother/ grandmother so patiently and with great respect. Thank you also to the kind staff at Heritage River for being like a family and allowing all of us to enjoy these last few years so fully.
Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Joyce's life at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home (280 St. David Street South, Fergus) on February 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM, with visitation to take place prior, from 12 PM until 1:15 PM. Following the service, guests are invited upstairs to the Wellington Room for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Elevator access is available.
Memorial donations can be directed to the Groves Memorial Hospital, St. John's Anglican Church in Elora, or Aboyne Rural Hospice.
Donations:
Groves Memorial Community Hospital
https://www.grovesfoundation.com/ways-to-give/donate-now
St. John's Anglican Church, Elora
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=65477c79-5d42-11ee-90fc-1260ab546d11
Aboyne Rural Hospice
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E365068QE&id=3