Joyce Robertson

Clara Joyce Robertson entered heaven on the evening of February 11, 2024. Born January 17, 1932, Joyce was the youngest of five children of William and Clara (nee Carr) Vankoughnet of Carman, Manitoba. Joyce attended the local one room country school of Ostrander followed by high school in Carman. At sixteen years of age, she took a summer certificate course for teaching and spent a year teaching in a one room country school. She met Dave Robertson of Saskatoon the following year and was married at nineteen. Together they would share a lifetime of adventure, raising four children.

When Dave left the vinegar manufacturing business in 1964 to enter the ministry within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Joyce ably transitioned to be a minister’s wife, providing unending support to his ministry in Winnipeg, Moose Creek and Kenora Ontario and White Rock, BC and later interim ministries on Vancouver Island. 

Her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse was fulfilled when she enrolled in the Registered Nursing Assistant program in Kenora at forty years of age. She graduated in 1973 earning awards for top marks and congeniality. She worked many fulfilling years in the Drug and Alcohol Rehab unit in Kenora and on medical units in White Rock.

In retirement, Joyce and Dave travelled extensively, and Joyce gave hours of volunteer time to the Seven to Ten Club, Meals on Wheels and the Nanaimo Community Hospice, including their visitation team, Thrift store as well as leading the Saturday morning Hospice Walking Group (affectionately known as “The Stompers”).

Joyce was blessed with the ability to make people feel seen and respected and appreciated, having special compassion for those struggling with homelessness and addiction. She was also dedicated to her family, who remember her for her unending love, interest and support.

Predeceased by her parents and three siblings, her husband Dave and two grandsons Gordie and Brayden, she leaves to mourn daughters Janet (Kerry) McIntyre of Ladysmith; Carol Robertson of Nanaimo; Mary Ellen (Paul) Desmarais of Nanaimo; and son Bill (Laura) Robertson of Cowichan Bay; nine grandchildren (Karen, David, Iain and Kate; Laura, Leslie and Carrie; Callie and Paul; and Sharlaina) and twelve great-grandchildren. Also mourning her loss is her brother, Fred Vankoughnet of Carman, Mb, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended families.

The family was able to provide care for her within her own home through the support of Dr. Bill Ehman and staff of Home and Community Care. We thank them for their care and compassion.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, February 24th at 1 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 4235 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo, and will be streamed at youtube.com/@st.andrewspresbyterianchur167

Donations in her memory can be given to Nanaimo Community Hospice, Island Crisis Care Society, or a charity of your choice.