JOYCE LILLIAN MCGHIE

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JOYCE LILLIAN MCGHIE With grace and dignity, Joyce McGhie passed away on December 27, 2003 with her family by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 52 years Cliff; children, Ken, Pam (John), Terrie (Peter) and Rob; grandchildren, Ryan, Jessica and Reanna; and great-granddaughter Sydney. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Norman Smith, Gordon Smith, Winnie Brennan, Graham Smith, Beverley Slater; her sister-in-law Eva Hanna and cousin Verna McLaughlin and their families. Joyce was born on December 22, 1934. She was raised by her grandparents, Abraham and Maria Wiebe of Lowe Farm and went to Steinfield School. She had many happy memories growing up as the youngest child in a large Mennonite family. Later she went to live with her mother, Helen Smith of Virden. Joyce moved to Winnipeg and worked at the Old Grace General Hospital. She married Clifford McGhie in 1951 and they raised four children. Joyce worked part time, first at Zellers, the The Bay and Quark Shoes in Unicity. She enjoyed working with everyone she came in contact with. Joyce and Cliff built a cottage at Spruce Bay, MB in 1973. Together with their family, they spent 30 summers with good neighbours and friends, especially Martha and Herve Bourgeois. Upon retirement, Joyce and Cliff travelled throughout Canada and the United States. Last year, they travelled from Vancouver to Halifax by train. Joyce was a longtime member of Kirkfield Park United Church and enjoyed all aspects, from taking the sermons to heart to participating in church activities. She was a woman who was very interested in the world. She had a lifelong love of reading and thoroughly enjoyed a good debate. We will miss her unique humour. She leaves with us all a legacy of love and laughter. A celebration of Joyces life will be held at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Chapel, 4000 Portage Ave. on Wednesday, December 31 at 10:00 a.m. Cremation and interment have already taken place. Should family and friends so desire, donations may be made in Joyces memory to The Salvation Army Grace Hospice, in care of the Grace General Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7. Special thanks to her sister Winnie and niece Maureen (Dean) who were able to share with the family and to be with her during this special time. A persons life cannot be measured by its length, but rather its quality. And, at its end, whether or not she has lived a good life, is what measures her time on earth. Joyces life was not as long as we would have wanted, but we cherished the time we had and honour her memory.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 29, 2003