Joyce May Schick

Following a lengthy battle with her fourth bout of cancer, it is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce May Schick on Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 with her family by her side. Her final days were spent in Palliative Care at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 56 years Stanley Schick; four daughters, Karen Sparrow (Jeff), Lynda Raghunanan (Ronald), Kate Hodgins (Craig), and Lori Anderson (Scott). In addition she leaves 10 grandchildren Brittany Gietz (Tim), Scott Sparrow, Ariana & Kayleigh Raghunanan, Rayanna, Ashton, McKinley & Lochlin Hodgins, Coralie & Lincoln Anderson; and 2 great grandchildren Georgia & Sadie Gietz. She also leaves to mourn her numerous cousins, friends, and neighbours in Pinawa and Winnipeg.

Joyce was pre-deceased by her mother Etta May; father William; step-mother Beatrice; and brother George.

Although Joyce was born in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, she spent her primary years living in Vancouver, BC living with her parents and grandparents. After the sudden death of her mother, she moved to Winnipeg with her father and brother (where she lived with her Aunt Gertrude and her family). Joyce grew up in the Wolseley area and attended Laura Secord School. When her father remarried, the family ended up in St. Vital and her family grew to include all of Beatrice’s family (many aunts, uncles, and cousins). Joyce graduated from Glenlawn Collegiate and upon graduation began working at the Toronto Dominion Bank.

At an early age, her father built a cottage at Falcon Lake and she spent many enjoyable summers there. It was during one of those summers that she met Stan at a weekend dance at West Hawk Lake (summer of 1960). They married on October 5, 1963.

They briefly relocated to London, Ontario in the Spring of 1966 when Stan accepted a position with Fisheries Research Board of Canada, and Joyce was fortunate in having the Bank reassign her to a position in London during this time. Upon returning to Winnipeg later that same year, Joyce accepted a new position with the Bank at TD’s Head Office as Secretary to the Western Division Manager.

The recruitment of new International scientific staff for the Freshwater Institute resulted in many new social activities for Joyce and Stan. While Stan was involved with the design of the new Institute, Joyce and other wives were entertaining the new arrivals and familiarizing them with the city’s various highlights.

During this period, Joyce and Stan moved to a new home in Fort Richmond, where soon after their first daughter, Karen was born. For the next 16 years, Joyce became a stay-at-home Mom with the births of Lynda, Kate, and Lori. She was involved in many of the kids’ activities, sports and school events. She then enjoyed doing the same with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

In 1983, after her first battle with cancer, Joyce returned to the workforce as an Office Manager with North/South Consultants. She enjoyed working for 23 years before her retirement in 2006, when they moved their home to Pinawa. She enjoyed playing the piano and was involved in many activities including quilting, bridge, bingo, golf and being a member of the “50 Plus” club. Her favorite activity was going to the Casino to play the slots. She always seemed to have a lucky horseshoe and on more than one occasion came home a winner.

Joyce loved to travel throughout Canada and the U.S. Some of her favourite places she went included Las Vegas, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, Florida, South Dakota and Atlantic City. Joyce and Stan spent the early years of their retirement as snowbirds in Texas and California. More recently, Joyce and Stan moved back to Winnipeg so that she could spend her final days with her family close by.

Joyce was always there for her family and will forever be remembered for her gentle nature, her love of animals and her ability to stay positive despite her challenges.

The family wishes to thank the CancerCare Manitoba doctors and staff as well as the Palliative Care team at Riverview Health Centre for their care and support.

A Celebration of Joyce’s Life will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s name to CancerCare Manitoba or The Winnipeg Humane Society.