Joyce Edwardson

Joyce Marie Edwardson passed away peacefully on October 30th, 2019 with her family by her side.

Joyce was born to Eli and Julia Turgeon, May 16, 1935, and grew up with her two younger brothers, Don and Dale, on a farm near Crystal Springs, Saskatchewan. She loved riding her horse to school as well as traveling in an enclosed horse drawn sleigh 'school bus' in the winters.

She was a teacher in a one room school in Northern Saskatchewan and later taught at McBride School in Sapperton, B.C.

Joyce and Arthur grew up on Saskatchewan farms three miles apart and were long time school friends. Romance blossomed and they married in 1958.

In April, 1961, Joyce and Arthur gave birth to twin boys, Brent and Keith, and four years later in May, 1965, Neil was born. Their family lived in Port Coquitlam where Joyce worked with her husband at Arthur Edwardson Photography. Joyce was a strong support for Arthur and her organizational skills were instrumental in the success of their family business. They were happy to have both Brent and Neil join them in the photographic studio.

Joyce loved spending time with her family and Sunday's were saved for outings such as hiking and making camp fires, often three fires, one for each son! She took great care of their home, providing many beautiful meals. Joyce tended her garden; her hanging flower baskets and hummingbird friends were enjoyed when her family gathered around the dining table. Joyce was a passionate reader and always had a book or two on the go! She attended Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, at the end of her street and taught Catechism for many years.

Joyce and Arthur enjoyed getting together with close friends for dinner and coffee. She met many friends through the professional photography association and traveled throughout North America to attend photography conferences.

Joyce was blessed with five grandchildren, Coe, Manya, Leif, and additional twins for the family, Nathan and Nolan. Family holidays, especially Christmas were fun occasions with memorable Norwegian dishes of leftse and lutefisk. Lutifisk is a jellied codfish Joyce cooked as Arthur loved this traditional food; her family noticed that Joyce only took a very small serving for herself!

Joyce was predeceased by her brother Don, and then suffered a great loss with the passing of Arthur in February, 2006. Joyce had mild symptoms of Parkinson's which later progressed and she moved from her family home into the Belvedere Care Home where she spent the last three years of her life. She received good care there and made some close friends who enjoyed her dry humor and kind spirit.

Joyce is loved and remembered by her brother Dale (Valerie), her sisters in law Hazel, Estelle, Karen, her sons Brent, Keith (Dawn), Neil (Nikki) and her grandchildren Coe, Leif, Mayna, Nathan and Nolan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Parkinson Society British Columbia.