With sadness and fond respect for a life well lived, her family shares the news of the passing on April 19, 2018 of Mary Joyce Learoyd (née Roberts).
Beloved wife, mum, and grandma. Navy wife, sun lover, sailor, artist. Comforted always, and at the end of her life by her bedside, with the company of her loving husband of 65 years, Cmdre. (Ret.) Douglas Rainsford Learoyd II, CMM.
In addition to her husband Doug and her sister Gwyneth Carlyle Roberts (Salt Spring, BC), Joyce is survived by her children Douglas Learoyd III of Edmonton, Dede McAvoy of Edmonton; Shelley Shonert (Jim) of Edmonton and Julie Weseen (Gerald) of Boston. All of Joyce’s children were in her presence to comfort her in her final days.
Joyce took great pleasure and joy in the activities and many accomplishments of her 10 grandchildren – Douglas, Jaclyn (Ryan), Stefan, Alexandra, Kimberly (Andrew), Lauren (Lee), Jason (Jenna), Mark (Christine), Andrew (Alexandria) and Zachary (Samantha); and her four great-grandchildren – Everly, Hazel, Jakob and Derek.
Joyce was born August 1, 1930 in Winnipeg to Trevor and Florence Roberts. Her family spent summers in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands, and they moved to Victoria when she was young. A graduate of Oak Bay High in Victoria, she was an avid and competitive sailor. She met Doug while he was in Victoria serving in the Royal Canadian Navy (he arranged an introduction at the Victoria Yacht Club after seeing Joyce at a bus stop). They were married in Victoria in November 1953. Their favourite activity in the early years of their married life was sailing. All of their children were born in British Columbia; the family lived in West Vancouver before settling in Edmonton in 1973.
Despite her abiding distaste for air travel, Joyce relished regular visits with Doug to Mexico and Hawaii, as well as summer trips to enjoy the company of family and friends in Osoyoos and Kelowna.
Joyce’s family sincerely appreciates the care and support provided by wonderful staff at Laurier House Lynnwood in Edmonton during her recent months there.
Cremation has taken place. No flowers, at the family’s request. Donations in Joyce’s memory can be made to The War Amps.
Doug and Joyce’s children, along with grandchildren and great grandchildren, gathered to celebrate Joyce’s life as she would have wished: sharing memories and telling stories with good food and laughter.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Joyce Learoyd April 19 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta