Catherine Isabelle Joyce

JOYCE, Catherine Isabelle, 93, of Halifax, passed away at Saint Vincent's Nursing Home on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. Born in Brooklyn, Yarmouth Co., NS, on December 8, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Isaac Nathaniel Muise and Mary Frances "Bessie" (Saulnier) Muise.

Married for 67 years to her beloved husband, Donald Patrick Joyce, the two wed in Saint Theresa's Church on January 23, 1950. Catherine dedicated her life to her husband and children, her community and her faith.

Whether cooking meals for the family or baking cookies for the Oxford School PTA or Saint Theresa's Church Fair or helping kids with school work or sewing graduation dresses for the prom, or listening to the woes of another, she always found the time for anyone in need. She had a tremendous capacity for love.

She was an excellent cook and was always 'feeding an army' (all her children and whichever friends we had with us). Neighbourhood kids knew Catherine as "Joycee", and she was always there to doctor a scraped knee, wipe away tears or reassure someone in need.

For many years, Sunday afternoons at 'the camp' meant picnics with her potato salad, topped with paprika, and devilled eggs, and more, ready to serve whomever arrived.

She loved animals and, over the years, nursed back to health family pets, dogs, cats, birds, and baby bunnies.

As a young mother, she volunteered for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For many years during their 'heart month' campaign, she knocked on neighbourhood doors to raise money for the cause during those cold February days.

She loved Canada and Nova Scotia and taught her children to be good, patriotic citizens. She impressed upon all, the value and importance of getting an education and a driver's license! She taught about honesty and fairness and reminded us often to be good to each other and to help each other because we are family.

Catherine was an avid reader and news-watcher, and was always ready for a spirited conversation about current affairs, local and world-wide. She kept informed on politics and loved a 'good horse race' (an election).

Catherine loved knitting. One year, for Christmas, she knitted Lopie sweaters for her husband and five children and each one's boyfriends and girlfriends in each person's favourite colours. Afterward, using the leftover bits of Lopie yarn, she designed and knit a custom-made Lopie sweater for Flash, the family's dog. She called it Flash's 'coat of many colours'. She crocheted afghans to keep people warm, made bridesmaids dresses, and was forever hemming skirts and pants.

She was intelligent and witty with a great sense of humour. Back in the day, she enjoyed penning a good verse with clever plays on words to commemorate special family events. Born into a big family, with six sisters and two brothers, Catherine's verses brought screams of laughter and excitement from all who had the good fortune to hear them. "There's more! There's more!" she'd say to her audiences mid-way through a verse as listeners clapped and laughed their heads off.

A woman of strong faith, Catherine took Bible Study courses in her younger years and later, ended most days with a prayer book at bedtime and rosary beads in hand.

Catherine will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Donald; sons, Dr. Donald Joyce, Jr., (Michelle) Moncton, NB; Barry (Kathryn) North Vancouver, BC; and, David Joyce, Halifax; and daughters, Sharon Joyce and Linda T. Joyce, both of Halifax; 4 grandchildren; sisters, Antoinette “Toni” (Peter) Cully; Margaret "Nan" (Finlay) Chisholm; Yvonne (Grant) Winchcombe; sister-in-law, Geraldine “Geri” Muise; and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine was predeceased by her parents, and infant daughter, Lynn Norma, whom she reminded us often is our angel in Heaven; sisters, Mary Dorothy "Dorcas” (Roy) Surette; Barbara (Doug) Deveau; Olive (Bill) Duffy; brothers, Bernard Muise and Walter (Pauline) Muise.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cruikshank's Funeral Home, Halifax.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Saint Theresa's Church, North Street, Halifax. Reception to follow in the church hall. Interment will be in the Gates of Heaven cemetery, Lower Sackville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine's memory can be made to Saint Theresa's Church, 6351 North St. Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 1P7 (902) 454-8221: [email protected] or a charity of your choice.