(date of death January 26, 2025)
Joyce was born on August 11, 1927, in Kitchener, Ontario to Earl and Jean (Dewar) Little. She had a twin brother, Howard and a sister Isabel. After they moved to Sunnyside (now part of Kitchener), she attended Parkway School in German Mills, a one-room school from grade 4 to the early days of grade 8 when the school burned down. The pupils were bused to Williamsburg school, a 2 room school. The family moved back to Kitchener to be nearer high school, and then in 1947 moved to Preston. Joyce joined the United Church of Canada and was active in the Young People’s Union (Y.P.U.) on the local, Presbytery, and Conference levels, and was an Akela of the 4th Preston Cub Pack.
It was at Scouters Council meetings and Y.P.U. gatherings that she and her future husband Beverly got to know each other. When they became engaged, she knew she would lose her job at the Grand River and Lake Erie and Northern Railway office because their policy was to employ single women only. She felt privileged when they changed their policy and she was the first married woman to work there. After marriage she loved being mother to Michael, Kirk and Fraser. She was active in the church, involved in Faith at Work, the Christian Ashram, and square dancing, all bringing joy, growth and good friendships. In 1982 Joyce and Bev joined Wanner Mennonite Church, another blessing.
After Bev’s death in 1987, she found fulfillment in volunteering at the Self Help Store (now Ten Thousand Villages), MCEC office, and the Cambridge Library, travelling, working on genealogy, bridge club, book club and Prayer Shawl Ministry. She always felt sad that her seven grandchildren, Scott, Darren, Russell, Emily, Tom, Sam and Ashley did not know the love support and companionship of their grandfather. Joyce found happiness in the retirement home by eating meals with other people, playing bridge and joining in classes for sketching, poetry, workshops, yoga, and fitness.
Welcoming a generation of 12 great-grandchildren to the world brought special enjoyment to Joyce. Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Wanner Mennonite Church, 1725 Beaverdale Road, Cambridge, Ontario. A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff and volunteers at Lisaard House for the care she received in her last days. Memorial donations to the Mennonite Central Committee, Lisaard House Hospice or the charity of your choice may be made as expressions of sympathy.