It is with great sadness the family of Alice Joyce MacTavish “Joyce”, announces her passing on August 21, 2022. Born in Newcastle on August 8, 1935, Joyce was the daughter of Max E. and Dorothy Forrest (nee McLaughlin) and sister to William Forrest (pre-deceased).
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, Daryl, daughters Maxine (Robert Sheasgreen), Karen and son Daryl John (Laura May), 6 wonderful grandchildren (Christopher, Meghan, Devin, Travis, Emma and Ben) and 2 even more wonderful great grandchildren (Sage and Harrison).
As her family and many friends can attest, Joyce was unstoppable in her zest for life and learning. After captaining her high school basketball team, she turned from athletics to academia, graduating from the Sant John General Hospital School of Nursing top of her class and then marrying the love of her life Daryl MacTavish. Though she loved her career in nursing, the family business called and side by side, she and Daryl built a successful and loving partnership of 65 years.
Of course, Joyce’s relentless work ethic spilled over to her social life. Her dozens and dozens of close family friends remember the countless parties, celebrations and gatherings often at their beloved Oak Point cottage. As a couple, mom and dad always loved a good party and the laughter shared amongst this broad group of folks is etched in our memories forever. It was at the cottage that Max, Karen and perfect son DJ can recount wonderful childhood memories of life on the beach, rousing card games of which Joyce was an expert, family barbecues and of course, sailing. She set her standards impeccably high, except when it came to DJ, when “don’t tell your father” was more often the norm. In her day, she also loved cross country skiing, skating, dancing and playing Auction 45’s like a pro.
Mom was always active in her kids numerous activities and sports; competitions and recitals – she was always “running the roads” and was a member and served as president of the Newcastle Lionettes Club, Newcastle Figure Skating Club and the Anglican Church ACW and was involved in several other community projects too numerous to mention. In her later years she was a Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Joyce Alice lived a life well-traveled. From Vietnam to Morocco, Brazil to Sicily, Thailand to Europe and all points between, she and Daryl spent half a century exploring. Often on short notice and without telling the kids, they’d take off on a moment’s notice but only after Joyce had her hair done
Her devotion to grandchildren stood out. Her grandchildren adored her, and she took an active interest in their lives; their schooling and careers; their interests and hobbies. She always encouraged travel and the learning of languages especially French and took the grandchildren to France so they could hone their accents.
Mom was known for her exceptional kindness and caring for all, her sharp wit and intellect, her stubbornness, her devotion to her church but most of all her family.
Joyce will be waked at Bell’s Funeral Home on Wednesday August 24 from 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm . The service will take place at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Bushville on Thursday August 25 at 2 pm. In memoriam, donations may be made to St Andrew’s Anglican Church Newcastle, a donation of one’s choice or in the completion of any act of kindness. Burial to take place at the Miramichi Cemetery following the service.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Alice MacTavish 2022..
bell’s & meadows funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick