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JOYCE ARLENE COLLIER (FALCONER)
Born: Jan 17, 1939
Date of Passing: Sep 19, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOYCE ARLENE COLLIER (nee FALCONER) January 17, 1939 - September 19, 2013 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce Arlene Collier of Portage la Prairie, at the age of 74, at Portage General Hospital. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Cathleen (Eric) of Toronto, Brenda (Ross) of Halifax, Douglas (Ronda) of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Andrew (Carleigh) of Winnipeg. Her six grandchildren, Kaitlin, Brianna, Ryan, Sydney, Donavan and Olivia, will miss her tremendously. She is survived by brother-in-law Allan (Nola); sister-in-law Margaret (Don); and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years, Dr. Kenn Collier; sister Barbara Lesley who died as an infant, and by sister-in-law Jean (Wayne). Joyce was born to Dorothy Louise and Douglas Grey Falconer in Winnipeg on January 17, 1939. She spent her youth in Winnipeg very involved with sports including basketball, track and field and swimming. She was in the first graduating class of Churchill High School. During her teen years Joyce and her father had tickets to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and loved their father-daughter time together at the games regardless of occasionally frigid temperatures. After high school she worked at the CBC until joining the Navy, a brief experience, as she didn't appreciate having people ordering her what to do. Joyce also joined the Winnipeg Canoe Club where she canoed and played tennis. It was paddling that was her main focus, and it wasn't just a leisurely pursuit, as her team won a national competition in Ottawa at age 17 and broke the event's speed record. On weekends, with friends from the Canoe Club, they would pack canoes on racks, drive to Kenora, then paddle to Scotties Island where they would camp for the weekend and generally just have a great time. On one of these trips, a regular camper brought along one Kenneth John Collier. Kenn and Joyce were subsequently married on June 18, 1960, in the Rosedale United Church. On their honeymoon at Falcon Lake, Kenn introduced Joyce to golf, an event that would change Mom's life, and ultimately impact countless golfers across Canada. In addition to playing and loving the game, she started her career as a golf volunteer at the Portage Golf Club where today the Joyce Collier Award is presented annually to the top junior golfer. She was president of the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and went on to become Canadian Ladies Golf Association Director of Player Development in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Joyce was also an associate governor in the Royal Canadian Golf Association from 2006 to 2008. She took great pride in watching several junior players she worked with go on to become players on the LPGA tour and teaching professionals. Joyce was instrumental in the formation of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and served as president from 2003 to 2006. She had the great honour of being inducted into the Hall of Fame herself in 2012. She also was the 2012 recipient of Golf Manitoba's Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her decades of service to the game. But above all, Joyce was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was involved with and supported countless activities for her family, from hockey and figure skating to piano lessons and family trips. And of course, initiating all of her children and grandchildren in the game of golf she so loved. Joyce's friends were very important to her throughout her life and for the last year they were of immeasurable help in providing support and comfort to her. The family would like to express their profound thanks to them. They would also like to thank the nursing staff at Portage District Hospital and the individuals at the Regional Health Authority that cared for and supported Mom so compassionately during her last weeks. A private service will be held in honour of Joyce. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so desire, donations can be made in Joyce's memory to the Dr. Kenneth J. and Joyce A. Collier Fund at the Community Foundation of Portage and District Inc., PO Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9 (www.cfpdi.ca). A message can be left in the online guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 21, 2013
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Going forward there will be many who will not have the privilege to have had Joyce Collier in their life. But looking back a gi-normous multitude of very grateful and appreciative people applaud and honor Joyce for her intense friendship, brilliant leadership and undying dedication to "give". I stand in that multitude, humble and ever so grateful Joyce graced a part of my life. The "good" stay forever as they live on in our hearts! Never forgotten. - Posted by: Karen Bingham (Friend) on: Oct 03, 2013
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Brenda, Andrew, Cathleen and Douglas. Not sure if you guys will remember me or not, my mom Karen Bingham you would. I only just heard of your mom's passing today...through someone I bumped into today that used to play bridge with your mom. Dorothy McFeeters. I wanted to express my sadness for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you all...it's a familiar situation as I lost my dad two years ago and my husband lost his mom 3 months later. I have very fond memories of your mom when I was on the MB Junior Golf Team...and played many times in Portage and had many BBQ's and Pool Parties at your house...your mom was a fantastic host. Thinking of you all and remembering an incredible lady. Sincerely, Shannon Griffith (nee Bingham) - Posted by: Shannon Griffith (nee Bingham) (old young friend) on: Oct 02, 2013
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To Brenda, Andrew, Cathleen and Douglas, Your Mom touched a lot of lives in her lifetime and you can be very proud of the legacy she has left for the Sport of golf in Manitoba. She was so passionate about everything she volunteered for. She was also proud of all of you...she spoke of you all with such love.. She was a very special person to me and I shall miss her dearly. - Posted by: Cathy Burton (Friend) on: Sep 24, 2013
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I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce many years ago while playing golf in our provincial tournaments. Her formation of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame was an important and necessary hall of fame and she did a wonderful job heading it up, and everything to do with that was done with her usual enthusiasm. What a woman! She will be missed by many of us. - Posted by: Joy Knudson (Friend through golf) on: Sep 22, 2013
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I have had the pleasure of knowing Joyce since approx. 1989 when she began her involvement with the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association. If I were asked to describe Joyce I would have to say that she was the most dedicated, energetic, and charismatic person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was a true visionary for the sport of Ladies Golf and worked tirelessly to see her dreams come to fruition. She has had an impact on the lives of many and her contributions and memory will live on in the many lives that she has touched and changed over the years. She will be sadly missed!! - Posted by: Barb Leisle (Friend) on: Sep 21, 2013