JOYCE VERNER (THORBURN)

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JOYCE VERNER (nee THORBURN) With immeasurable sorrow, we, the family, announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Joyce, our Mom and Grandma, on August 23, 2011. She was a grand lady who was a friend to all who knew her. We are thankful and inspired by the healthy, active, and independent lifestyle she maintained throughout her 91 years. Her life was truly remarkable. Joyce was an artist, who enjoyed playing classical piano pieces, and painting with water colors and oils. Her art work won many awards, but she was never complacent, always seeking classes to develop her repertoire of techniques. She was generous with her talent, both in terms of donating works for silent auctions in aid of a charity, and in passing on her knowledge to others. This fall would have been her 39th year of teaching art classes to seniors! Joyce was a card player to be reckoned with; whether you were an opponent in bridge or cribbage (she was merciless!). Her knitting kept family, friends, and countless not so well-known babies and children warm. Her energy and humour instigated many of the antics with her fun loving Red Hat group, and motivated those in her twice a week aqua size class. Joyce's vitality was contagious, she drew people to her wherever she went. Family was first and foremost in her life. Sunday dinners were hosted at one of our homes every week, so that we could catch up on everyone's week. Mom was always interested in what was going on with each and every one of us. Her love was endless. She was a positive, optimistic, and supportive force for each of us. Mom enjoyed travelling. Over the years she crossed Canada from East to West, visited Ireland, Europe, Turkey, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Eastern Africa. This year, she spent February in Hawaii, and then in May took a road trip from Kelowna to the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island. She was accompanied on both trips by family, who were excellent tour guides. June to September is lake time. Each spring Mom couldn't wait to get down to Minaki, and once there, she didn't come home until well into the fall. She loved the lake, tending her garden, swimming and more swimming, socializing with the neighbours, playing bridge with the Minaki ladies, working on her art, playing the piano, and enjoying being with the family. The gap that Mom leaves in our hearts will never mend. She will be greatly missed by family: Janice and Rick Graham, Barbara Rutherford and Rob Huxtable, Linda and Marvin Emann, Rick Verner and Arlene Skehar, Christopher and Dayna Graham, Stephanie Graham, and Kourtney Graham. The strength and resolve she showed in overcoming the deaths of her infant son Scott, husband Gordon Rutherford, second husband Sam Verner, sister Doreen Garriock, and many friends over her long life, inspired others to work to embrace life as she did, and to aim for the integrity that was so much a part of Mom's being. Mom's engagement in life was a positive force to the lives of all who knew her. We welcome family and friends to join in celebrating her extraordinary life, at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 2, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage charitable donations to the Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, or a charity of your choice. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2011