Joyce Robb

Joyce Robb (nee Bjornson)

February 8, 1929 – October 27, 2023

Slipped away peacefully at the tender age of 94. Joyce was predeceased by Gordon, her loving husband of 61 years, and by her three siblings. She loved, and was loved by many, for her happy and always positive attitude, and her infectious laugh which will survive in the memories of all who knew her, not least of which will be her three children Meredith (Brian) McArthur, Lorna Robb, and Doug (Janice) Robb.

Affectionately known as “Guy” to her ten grandchildren; Shanley(Andrew), Patrick(Jill), Doug(Jackie), Paul, Julia(Kamyar), Anna, Gordon(Julie), Dani(Tim), Joey(Megan), and Brian(Taylor); and seven great-grandchildren. She always had a smile, a kind word, and a warm hug for them, if not a freshly baked cookie or two. Many of the fondest memories for the family will be from the cottage on Cache Lake in N.W. Ontario, where she and Gordon honeymooned and spent every available spring, summer, and autumn moment. There was and never will be anything better than a loaf of Icelandic Brown Bread fresh from the wood stove. Joyce was a fabulous cook, both on the wood stove and in the city, and was well known for her vinarterta, another small piece of the Icelandic heritage of which she was so proud.

Joyce grew up in the Wolseley area of Winnipeg, the youngest of the 4 children of Anne and Oliver Bjornson. She graduated from Gordon Bell High School, where she was both a track star as well as lead soprano in the many operettas put on by the school. She made lasting friendships all her life, the most enduring though, was the group of school friends appropriately named “The Club” that met regularly for more than 70 years.

Joyce was a volunteer, giving her time and talents to the community in many ways, the schools, the church, the Junior League, and over 25 years with the St. Agnes Guild of the Children’s Hospital. She was an accomplished seamstress and knitter and provided an unending supply of smocked dresses and beautifully knitted sweaters for The Guild (and for her adoring children and grandchildren).

Her life was full of family and adventure as she and Gordon traveled to Europe, New Zealand and throughout the US to escape a small part of the winter. They wintered in Corpus Christi TX for many years accumulating more friends and fabulous lasting relationships, then latterly wintered on Vancouver Island with son Doug and his family where they were avid fans of their grandchildren at all the hockey rinks.

Their home on Sandra Bay and the cottage at Farlane were very big parts of Joyce and Gordon’s life and the source of some of their deepest friendships. Her laugh will be long remembered as it echoed on a still summer evening.

She and Gordon were a fabulous parenting duo. Joyce loved to chat, but always knew when to listen and support her children and her friends. She simply made life a little bit better every day.

Thanks go to many people who were a big part of Mom’s life but special thanks to the deep and lasting friendship of Tammie Dueck, who became family over the years. Also thank you to Poseidon Care Centre staff for their excellent care in the past six months.

A service to celebrate this well lived life will be held at Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road on Tuesday November 7th at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Oh Mom, we will miss you, but all who you touched will carry your love of life onward. A shining example of humanity at its best.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Robb family.