We are so grateful to have had our Mom in our lives for all of these years yet we are so sad to announce her passing. She is predeceased by her parents, Alvin Brovold and Agnes (Schnell) and survived by her husband Don of 63 years and her wonderful sister Paddi (Ron) Price and sister-in law Marilyn (Bob) Campbell.
Terribly missed by her daughter Pattie (Rory), sons Brian and Randy (Louise). Mom loved being a ‘Grandma’ to Ryan, Amber, Jenna (Cory), Kim (Shaun) Reid, Alex (Luke), Ben, Brady, Michael and Quinn and ‘Great Grandma’ to Wesley, Bradley, Carter, Hudson and Max. She loved being a super fun Aunt to her very special nieces and nephews. She had the best sleepovers! She will also be missed by her cousins in Saskatchewan, Linda Penner and LeeAnn Watchman and special friends Joyce and Jack Beecroft, Cindy Dawson (Terry) and Ratka Stajic the caring and talented manager at the Riviera.
Mom was magic. She had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room and that you mattered and you were important. She was fun, loving, positive and a ton of energy. She was organized and taught each of us how to run a household. We had chores, we had jobs and she definitely had eyes in the back of her head! Our home on 149th Street was the gathering spot and everyone was welcome. There was always a pot on the stove for “Hockey Night in Canada” or after cold soccer games and the team was always welcome for homemade soups, spaghetti or chili. She cooked and baked for an army. Mom loved cooking turkey dinners for all occasions and sometimes she made up an occasion to have us all together. Her house was decorated to the max for all occasions including Christmas and Easter and she loved celebrating our birthdays. We loved her lemon tarts and lemon pies.
We knew we were loved. Our parents taught us to be involved and to make a difference in our community. They coached us until our adult lives and they believed in us and showed it in so many ways. Our friends were her friends too. Mom was a huge ‘sports’ fan for her grandchildren. Her grandkids called her the ‘fashion’ grandma because she always had bright and pretty outfits on and her purses and shoes or shoelaces always matched. She made friends wherever she went and her grandchildren’s friends and their families became her friends as well. She was ‘Grandma Joy” to many and she was happy to help out at school events.
Mom was very proud of her Vancouver roots. Winters in Palm Springs and Cathedral City were wonderful but she was always happy to come home. Mom volunteered for Royal Columbian Hospital by crocheting baby blankets and knitting sweaters and toques for little ones. One year she knit team toques for the boys soccer teams.
A huge thank you to Dr. Mark Green and his staff for all their care over the years as well as the amazing Dr. Paul Klimo, Dr. Telio, Dr. Schellenberg, Dr. Ivanishvilli and Dr. Ho and the wonderful staff at Burnaby Hospital Oncology and the Fraser Valley Cancer Centre. All the professionalism, care and kindness showed to Mom throughout her cancer journey made every day a good one. And in true “Joy fashion”, every treatment ended with going out for lunch or something fun. She never gave up and her doctors and caregivers never gave up. Mom had lots to live for. We are so grateful for all of her love and guidance. She made us feel like anything was possible if we believed in ourselves. Our world won’t be the same without her.
There will be no service at this time due to COVID. Please send any stories or memories to Pattie at ourfamilymemories@shaw.ca
Children need at least one person in their life that thinks the sun rises and sets on them, who delights in their existence, and loves them unconditionally (Pamela Leo)
Every Child is an Artist – until he’s told he’s not an artist (John Lennon)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joy Ann Carmichael July 26 1936 October 30 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique