In her 94th year, Joyce Eleanor Ottley passed away peacefully, on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Canterbury Place Retirement Home in Toronto.
Joyce was born in England on November 7, 1926, the daughter of Harry and Eleanor Cornes. Joyce had a happy childhood which was saddened by the death of her brother, Gordon, who died in infancy and later disrupted by World War II. Living through the war as a teenager made her strong and gave her a greater appreciation of life. She married Ivor Walter Roland Ottley on July 3, 1948. Together they had three children. In 1958, Ivor was transferred to Canada, so Joyce, with a six month old baby, packed up her household and her two older children and with Ivor moved to Toronto. Joyce found living in Canada quite difficult at first, especially dealing with the harsh winters. Making friends and becoming an Information Officer with the British Government Offices (BGO)on University Avenue certainly helped. Joyce worked there for almost ten years, and as she had always done, made lifelong friends. In 1978, Ivor was transferred to Singapore, and Joyce enjoyed their four years there, where she embraced the culture and again made many friends. In 1982, Joyce and Ivor returned to Canada, whereupon they moved to Brandy Lake, and eventually Bracebridge. They enjoyed their retirement years in Muskoka, as well as travelling and spending time with family and friends. After the death of Ivor, on October 22, 1995, Joyce moved to London, Ontario, where she remained until 2016. Joyce enjoyed her years in London, joining Newcomers, playing bridge, doing yoga (which she did well into her eighties), making good friends and travelling, as well as spending time with family. In 2016, Joyce returned to Toronto to live at Canterbury Place. There she made friends easily and was extremely well liked by the healthcare workers and staff. Joyce had an incredible memory. She enjoyed talking about politics, and talking about current sports with her grandsons. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and keeping her mind agile. But mostly, Joyce never stopped mothering. She was always interested in everything her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were doing. She was so proud of her six grandchildren, and was enormously pleased that they were all settled, doing well and with wonderful partners. She lived long enough this year to welcome her three newest great grandchildren, although unfortunately, did not have a chance to meet them in person.
Joyce, Mum, Little Nana/Grandma, Great Nana will be greatly missed by her children, Nigel(Aprile), Georgie(Mike), and Jackie (Bob), by her grandchildren, Lisa(Jeff), Jeff(Mallory), Trevor(Danielle), Gillian(Andy), Kevin(Katie), and Sarah (Evan), and by her great grandchildren Tommy, Emi, Charlie, Isaac, Everly and James.
She will also be sadly missed by her many friends in Toronto and London, Ontario, and also those in England and her remaining family, Diana and Noel, and their children and grandchildren also in England.
Her family would like to especially thank the healthcare workers and staff at Longworth Retirement Home in London, and Canterbury Place in Toronto, for their kind and compassionate care.
The family will be holding a small, private service on November 10th, with a celebration of life to take place at a later date.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Eleanor Ottley Saturday October 31st 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Markham, Province: Ontario