Joyce Galey (nee Sweetman)
Joyce Constance Galey passed away peacefully in Fonthill, Ontario on February 10, 2022, a few months shy of her 94th birthday. Her well-lived life was characterized by an adventurous spirit, a strong work ethic, a delight in story-telling and a special talent for friendship.
She was cherished by her daughters Sherralee (Sherry) Galey and Elena Galey-Pride and sons-in-law Bob Hussey and Stanley Pride, as well as sisters Irene Peterkin, Shirley Sloan, Carol Almond (Peter) and brothers Walter (Myrna) and Winston (Graciette).
She is fondly remembered as Grandma Joyce and Great Grandma Joyce by Blaine, Tila, Niah and Declan Hussey and by Pennie Pride, Hillary Johnson, Richard Pride, Steven Robertson and by the Zoratto family. She leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who were touched by her life.
Joyce was predeceased by her parents and her dearly loved husband, Norman Charles Galey, her brothers Lennox and wife Vina and Keith and wife Blandine and sister Lois and husband Howard, as well as brothers-in-law Lorne Sloan and George Peterkin.
The first of nine children of Edwin A. Sweetman and Helen Pearl Sweetman, owners of a general store in Port Daniel, Quebec, Joyce was born on April 29, 1928.
After teaching school briefly at the tender age of 16 on the Gaspé Coast, Joyce set out to make her mark in the big city of Montreal. There she worked at Sun Life and met the love of her life, Norman, an amateur photographer, who asked her one day if he could take her picture.
It wasn’t long after that she embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. In a gutsy move for a woman in that era, she travelled half way around the world to marry Norman in Singapore, where his job had sent him. After welcoming Sherralee, they settled in Puerto Rico, where Elena completed the family. Joyce revelled in her life in the tropics.
Upon returning to the Montreal area as a young mother, Joyce devoted her boundless energies to community, charitable and church activities, while also working outside the home. She and Norman thrived on spending time with neighbours, friends and her large family and Joyce is remembered as gregarious and generous, especially with food!
When Norman’s work moved them to Toronto in 1979, Joyce reestablished herself in a challenging new career in customs coordination at Maclean Hunter. A more dedicated employee would be hard to find. The warm community she cultivated in Toronto afforded many new opportunities for socializing, as well as more chances to help people and contribute to good causes. She stepped forward to lead her condo building’s Heart and Stroke fundraising campaign for an unprecedented 25 years. When Norman became ill in 1992, her strong friendship network rallied around to support her. She cared for him lovingly until his death at home in 1993.
The newly retired Joyce rekindled her love of travel and satisfied her insatiable curiosity by exploring the world, sometimes with her daughters, sons-in-law, sisters, and friends, but also by herself. In two decades, she covered much of the Caribbean and Europe as well as North and South America, Australia and parts of Asia. On every trip, Joyce was a people magnet who readily formed and kept new friendships.
We will miss her presence but Joyce’s spirit is now free to roam again.
A celebration of life will be held later this year when circumstances allow. In memory of Joyce, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara (alzheimerniagara.ca) or a charity of your choice.
For a book of condolences, visit www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Constance Galey Sweetman Thursday February 10th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: FONTHILL, Province: Ontario