JOYCE MARIE BIRCH (GRIFFITHS)

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JOYCE MARIE BIRCH (nee GRIFFITHS) Born in Portage La Prairie December 6, 1931, Joyce passed away at the Victoria Hospital on August 9, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her devoted husband Doug; son Phlyp and wife Sandra of Binscarth; mother Leona Reid of Gladstone; sister Faye Griffiths of Toronto; brother-in-law Cecil Birch of Brandon; nephew Barry (Barbara) Birch of Winnipeg; cousin Doreen Nall of Alabama. She was predeceased by her father, Jack Griffiths when she was a child. She lived in Tenby, Manitoba as a youngster but later moved to Gladstone where she completed her schooling. She then went to Normal School and became a teacher. She married Douglas Birch on August 4, 1950 where they made their home in Alberta. Joyce's teaching career took her to Brandon, Westburn, Camp Shilo and Winnipeg. She accompanied Doug when he taught in Trinidad and also in Peru where she too taught English in the business community. In Winnipeg Joyce became a teacher - librarian which was her real love. She was devoted to her students, and even after retirement she continued by Story Telling which fullfilled her life-long desire to share stories. She was a member of the Stone Soup story tellers of Winnipeg. She received the Award for Teacher - Librarian of the Year from the Manitoba School Library Association. Joyce was a long time member of the Retired Women Teachers' Association She was a gentle and gracious lady and a friend to many. The funeral service to be held in Gladstone United Church at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2007. A Memorial Service will be held in the Unitarian Church at 603 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2007. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 13, 2007