Joyce Marie Knapp

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Joyce Marie Knapp, passed away peacefully at the Bradley Centre in Chilliwack, BC at the grand age of 95. Joyce (MacPherson) was born in Sackville, NB and is the last surviving member of that family. Joyce had (in her words) “a wonderful life”.

Her first job as an occupational therapist brought her to Chilliwack where she met her true love Robert (Bob) Alexander Knapp (now deceased). Bob, from Halifax, NS, was a member of the Canadian Army Engineers. They married in 1951 at the Engineer Chapel at Vedder Crossing.

Returning to their East coast roots, Joyce and Bob lived in Halifax and later in Sackville before returning to Chilliwack in their retirement years.

Joyce was a life-long learner. She graduated from Mount Allison University with a degree in Home Economics. Years later, she completed her Fine Arts degree at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She taught in schools in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Her last teaching position was at Moncton High (NB) where she taught art. She was always an artist and her works were shown in galleries and art shows in NS and NB. In fact, at the age of 65, she was accepted into the prestigious Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, England where she achieved a Masters in Fine Arts.

Joyce was an accomplished cook and was known locally for her food events such as a Palindromic Dinner, chocolate breakfasts, and the ‘Duck Inn’ during the then annual Sackville, NB Waterfowl Celebration.

Joyce was an accomplished seamstress and in later years turned that skill into quilt making, where well into her 90s she volunteered with the Eden Mennonite Quilters group in Chilliwack.

Joyce was an advocate for mental health and was appointed to the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Council to the Health Minister in 2000 where she vowed “to do my best to represent the mentally ill in Chilliwack.” As well, Joyce was on the board of the Chilliwack Supportive Housing organization, for whom she successfully raised funds.

Being a truly creative and spirited individual, Joyce always used her talents and skills to serve others. Both she and her husband, Bob, supported their communities, no matter where they lived, with acts of giving and kindness.

Joyce is survived by her three children, sons John (Donna), Oakville, ON, William, Picton, ON and daughter Jennifer, Amherst, NS, as well as by her devoted granddaughter Candra Fernandes (Knapp), ON.

Joyce’s family would like to thank Fraser Health and their capable staff at Cartier House in Coquitlam and Bradley Centre in Chilliwack for their excellent support and care. Joyce was especially fond of her family doctor, Dr. Heather Leyen.

Joyce was, as one friend remarked, ‘one of a kind’ and she will be missed by her many, many friends and by her loving family.