Joyce Preston
1935-2018
Joyce J. Preston (Lanoue) had a wonderful
voice.
Born in Vermont June 2, 1935, the middle child of thirteen
siblings, Joyce would sing as a child doing her chores, going to
school, or attending church. By 1959, Joyce had moved to
Saint John where her singing in the choir caught the ear of George
Preston – her husband until his passing in 1999. While
thinking of him she would often sing When Autumn
Leaves are Falling, his favorite song from
childhood.
Joyce worked for a time as a cashier at Dominion, which she
remembered as “I was terrible at that job, so they fired
me!” From there, she was a Billing Clerk for ship
to shore transmissions – “I was much better at
that.” But she really hit her stride as an Avon
representative – “Number 1 in Atlantic Canada for
several years!” Her pleasant voice and gift of gab
served her well working with customers, who she thought of fondly as
friends.
In retirement, Joyce volunteered at the Doctor Everett
Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, singing in the non-denominational
services and visiting with patients.
Being an adventurous soul, Joyce enjoyed
travelling. Highlights of her trips included Montreal (an
aware for top Avon sales), Toronto, San Francisco, New York City, and
a Caribbean cruise. Closest to her heart, though, were the
family vacations to Vermont.
Joyce’s favorite poem, No Vermonters in
Heaven, explained that natives of the Green
Mountain State choose instead to return to the land of their birth,
ending with:
“We give them the best the Kingdom
provides;
They have everything here
that they want,
But not a Vermonter in
heaven abides
A very brief period here
he resides
Then hikes his way back to
Vermont!”
Joyce felt this was probably true, and asked that half her
ashes be spread with her husband, George, and the other half with her
parents, Noel Joseph Lanoue and Maywood Theresa Root Flood, in
Vermont.
Joyce is survived by her sons – Charles (Amanda) of
Marlborough, Massachusetts, and David (Sherry) of New Maryland, NB –
and by grandsons Thane and Cormick. She will be remembered
by countless friends from when she lived in Saint John, Woodstock,
Bathurst, and Fredericton. Her family extends thanks and
best wishes to the staff and residents of Pine Grove Nursing Home,
which was Joyce’s extended family these recent
years.
Yes, our mother had a wonderful voice throughout
life’s ups and downs. Whether singing hymns or
Happy Birthday, reciting her favorite Bible verse (Psalm 23:4), or
even when complaining about one thing or another, Mom shared her love
of life and all that it offered.
Mom’s voice is silent now – may she rest in
peace.
A private service will take place with interment in the
Fredericton Rural Cemetery Extension. For those who wish, donations in
Joyce’s memory can be made to the Pine Grove Foundation or a charity
of the donor’s choice.
www.mcadamsfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Preston 19352018.source
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick