JOYCE LORIAN BRIDEN

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

• Joyce Lorraine Briden, it has been 13 months since you went home to be with the Lord. I remember you daily as I sit at the kitchen table and I think of past experiences and conversations we had in the course of our lifetimes. Sometimes we did not agree on every topic, we had different points of view, you were a generation older than me. Never the less, we did share some laughter together over the years. Joyce, your spirit lives on through all our memories. Darcy D. Smela, brother. - Posted by: Darcy Smela (Brother) on: Dec 20, 2013

• A year has gone by mom and there isn't a day that goes by that I dont think of you. You were there to give us guidance when we needed it, there when we needed someone to talk to or vent our problems to with open ears. Mom you were the cornerstone of our family, I hope we made you proud, you will never be forgotten mother and always loved. - Posted by: keith (son) on: Nov 19, 2013

• I remember Joyce more than 20 years ago when she worked at Paradise Restaurant with her son Dean. She had a pleasant personality. Very likeable. She will be missed. - Posted by: Jon Lewak (former co-worker) on: Dec 10, 2012

• I met Joyce while employed at the Winnipeg Free Press. She took me under her wing and was very kind to me. I loved making her laugh. She said that I was a breath of fresh air. I will miss her, Joyce, you will always have a place in my heart! - Posted by: Liz Cardno (Co worker and friend) on: Dec 05, 2012

• We were shocked to hear of Joyce and Cecil's passing. Fern had just talked to your dad 2 days before. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. We remember them both out front of our house with Darren and Luz. Your dad was showing the kids my snapping flowers. Your mom and dad were so happy. Just think how happy your dad will be to spend Christmas with your mom. Take care Gloria and Fern - Posted by: Gloria and Fern Marier (friends from Dorion) on: Dec 03, 2012

• Keith and Vicki So sorry to hear about your losses. Life sure works in mysterious ways and we ask ourselves why and never get the right answer! Thinking of you both and your kids too! We were one privileged family that got to meet your parents and spent some occasions with you guys and Cecil and Joyce when our kids were small. Just know we are thinking about you and if you need to call you know our number we; wanted to call but didnt know what to say we were just lost for words. Big Hugs to You and Vicki xoxoxoxoxo The Merritt Family - Posted by: Sheri Merritt (Friend) on: Nov 29, 2012

• A tribute to my oldest sister ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You were 18 years old when I was born I always thought that was so neat. How does one relate to someone so different almost a new generation apart. You could have been my mother but instead you had one of your own, a year after I was born (Darren) my nephew..and then you had two more after that (Keith) and (Dean{Hugo}) we were all so close in age. In fact you become a mom before your time looking after all the Smela kids while our mom worked her 2-3 jobs. You grew up too fast!!! My greatest memory of you is when I visited you in Lockport at the trailer park, your three boys took me bike riding around the trailer park (un-known) to me the bike they gave me had no brakes-well when it was time to brake by the house trailer, I found out the hard way that I couldn't. I drove right past them, down the steep hill behind trailer and towards the river (stream). Well I was panicking, not only was the ride down the hill rough and hard but fast and furious. I managed to finally stop just before the water. I found out got a injury to my back side (tush) well Joyce nursed me in the bathtub until she realized I needed stiches, so off to the hospital she took me. 50 stiches and no freezing, I remember it well to this day..Joyce was right in front of me saying as I was lying face down with a comic book in hand (think of something good)... Well to this day I have a scar there to remind me of those moments we shared...How did you maintain to be such a calm individual all your life. You quiet and me a loud smuck..just the same..I love you..I miss you..never forgotten..Always in my heart. Bye Big Sis..My condolences to Darren-Keith-and Dean. Take care and many thanks to Keith for giving us that call telling us of the passing of your Mom . I will always appreciate that *always*..from #9 baby from The Smela Family :::Sharon - Posted by: sharon ann smela (baby sister(youngest of the clan)) on: Nov 28, 2012

• Dear Joyce, I would just like to say, how much I admired your courage, strength and dignity that you kept to the very end of your illness. Your sons did you and Cecil, proud, always being there for you both, and your grandchildren will miss you terribly. We had a lot of fun and spats over the span of 44 years, but we always remained friends. Both Mom and I will miss you very much, you were a good wife, and mother, and I'm so glad I got there in time to see you again. Rest in peace Joyce, Love Valerie. - Posted by: Valerie (Sister-in-law) on: Nov 27, 2012

• Vicki/Keith and family. very sorry for yet another loss in your family. take comfort in knowing that Joyce and Cecil are now together; and at peace. thinking of you: with deepest sympathy. - Posted by: ileana () on: Nov 26, 2012

• Joyce and I had a very special bond, one which carried us forward into our later years. This bond led me to be near her during her final months. The mainstay of our relationship was the ability to create laughter and fun as we went along. Memories will include travelling across Canada and to Alaska on various trips and the many telephone calls that ended in uproarious laughter. It is my hope to maintain such a relationship with her own family as we move through life. My many thanks go to her immediate family for being so kind and thoughtful when I visited. Although Joyce was not a deeply religious person, we had many discussions of a spiritual nature. In particular, I think that she would have liked to have been remembered for some of her views, in particular some that were centered on ‘1 Corinthians 3’ and ‘Matthew 16’. One of the last playful memories that I will hold of her was when I visited with her and her family at St. Boniface Palliative Care and we all went down for coffee in the first floor food area. While ordering coffee and such, I had my back turned to the group. When I turned around, she was gone. Alarmed, I asked where she was, but at that same time I caught sight of her being wheeled back into the lobby in a wheelchair and all the miscellaneous attachments, in her hospital gown, with bare feet. When asked where they had been, she indicated that her grandson Brendan had taken her for a “ride outside” in the cold, in her bare feet and hospital gown, letting her go “solo” down the slight hill of the sidewalk. Here is to more smiles and laughter up in Heaven, Joyce. I will miss you. - Posted by: Linda Outhwaite (Sister) on: Nov 25, 2012

• To my Auntie Joyce: I will always remember you from the reflection of my childhood: you were that generous jolly aunt who brought laughter into a room, with a sharp sense of humour and a straight forward attitude. God Bless you on your journey, and may there be joy and peace with you. My condolences to the Briden and the Smela family. - Posted by: Natasha Smela (Niece) on: Nov 25, 2012

• Vicki - My prayers and thoughts to you and your family during this difficult time. MaryAnn - Posted by: MaryAnn Wasylnuk (Friend) on: Nov 25, 2012

• My older sister Joyce was well loved by her three boys; Darren, Keith, Dean. And her late husband Cecil. Joyce had four brothers: late Ken, late Ron, Darcy and Dennis Smela. With her four other sisters in Sask., Alberta and B.C. she became closest to her sister Linda. In many ways, Joyce kept very close to her family and enjoyed many laughs together through parties, functions, and many simple gestures of love through memorials and funerals. If Joyce was the oldest sister, I was the youngest brother. We both saw things differently within our own large family which was hard to see all things at the same time in one simple lense. Although, at times, we would appreicate the commonality we did have at the same time. Instead, to laugh and poke fun at something than too take it seriously and have it play to hard in a bad memory. Joyce, we had an unique relationship from very,very young. And through the years those memories just increased ten fold.I hope the Lord is shining His face upon you now and pray that your family will gain His blessings too. Dorothy, Daniel, Dennis Smela. - Posted by: dennis smela (brother) on: Nov 24, 2012

• Grandma i will never forget the funny moments we had. I will always love you with all my heart. love lexi<3<3 - Posted by: lexi (grandaughter) on: Nov 24, 2012

• We will miss you grandma you were a big part in our life and you will always be. love you lexi,dani and jessica - Posted by: alexis (grandaughters) on: Nov 24, 2012

• 👵Grandma👵, you were a 👑goddess👑 in my mind! You and 👴grandpa👴 were two of the nicest people I knew. 44 years of 💍marriage💍and now you guys can have a 👰honeymoon👰 in 👼heaven👼! Ill Soon see you once again, but till then 💤Rest💤 in 🌴paradise🌴, ❤Love you❤ - Posted by: Summer (Granddaughter ) on: Nov 24, 2012

• My thoughts and prayers go out to you Vicki, Keith and family in the loss of your loved one. I can't imagine what you are going through to loss 2 parents in a couple of weeks. I hope you will find peace. - Posted by: Brenda MacMillan (Co-worker) on: Nov 24, 2012

• R.i.p. Joyce, you will be sadly missed by your family. - Posted by: jane sheets (sister) on: Nov 24, 2012