Joyce E. Kortgaard passed away peacefully at the Rockyview General Hospital, on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the age of 94 years.
Joyce was born on April 22, 1924 in London, England. Facing much adversity through her life, she grew up during the great depression and lost her mother when she was only eleven years old. She immigrated to Canada as a war bride. As a young lady, Joyce was a singer and travelled as a salesperson with a cosmetic company, where she met the love of her life, Ross. Her life was dedicated to raising five children who she would proudly talk about any chance she was given. She worked as a salesperson in high end clothing stores such as Country Club Casuals. Interests outside of family included watching “the golf” with Ernie Els being an adopted son in her mind, cooking, baking, gardening, knitting, and in her later years, painting. Joyce was involved with Oil Wives and volunteered in the Kitchen Theatre of the Calgary Stampede for 40 years. Mom, always with perfect skin, was often thought to be younger than she was and never felt old in spirit. She read the Calgary Herald and did the crossword puzzle every day, keeping up with current events and, as such, could carry on an intelligent conversation with anyone. She was in good health until the last few years when she would often say, still with her British accent, “It’s a bitch getting old”.
Joyce will be lovingly remembered by her five children: Douglas (Harald), Pamela (Carin Ekeroth), Dawne, Wendy (George Zolnierczyk), Graham (Sheri) and three grandchildren, Erin, Kristian and Claire. Joyce is also survived by her sister, Patricia Hellings and other family, all of England. She was predeceased by brothers, Fred, Derek and Godfrey.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at a visitation held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Joyce’s Life will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca
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