We mourn the loss of a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister.
Val Joyce was born in Southern India in 1927. She moved back to England as a child. Val trained as an RN in England and later nursed in Powell River. She was known for being meticulous and caring. For many years she was very involved with the Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary. She lived in Powell River for almost 60 years, arriving here with beloved husband Gerry Joyce. During that time they raised three children: Sarah (Gordon), Jeremy (Valerie and Liam) and Timothy (Cassandra). She was a brilliantly supportive and creative mother, devoted to her family.
Val took up watercolours at the age of 60, showing natural talent and exhibiting and selling works that reflected her interest in the natural world. She was a vegan and animal lover, and supported animal charities.
In their retirement, Val and Gerry travelled widely, organizing their own walking trips. A "Grand Tour" of Europe was followed by an epic journey through India and Southeast Asia. She returned to the house in India where she grew up and was able to wander through it once again. She wrote fascinating accounts of all the houses where she had lived and also wrote poetry.
Val adored books and libraries. As a young woman after the war she had worked in a library. She faithfully attended the Powell River Public Library for almost 60 years, reading being one of her great joys: challenging herself with the world's greatest literature, testing her memory with cryptic crosswords, listening to music and watching dance. Reading sustained her when Gerry died in 2005.
Weeks before she died, Val was out gardening and walking miles a day at a fast pace and enjoying the beautiful surroundings that sustained her. She was a beautiful, clever woman with a dry wit and a lovely smile. She was greatly loved and will be equally missed.
Val is survived by her children, their families, five sisters and a brother from the UK and USA and predeceased by the love of her life, Gerry Joyce.
Thank you to the hospital and Family Tree Health staff, home care nurses and practioners and to Stubberfield. At Val’s request, there is no formal service. In lieu of flowers, a donation to an animal charity would be meaningful.