Joyce Pearce (Nicholls), beloved wife of Robert “Bob” Pearce for 70 years, passed away on January 12, 2018 at the age of 93 years. Joyce will lovingly be remembered by her 3 children, Michael (Pauline) Pearce, Ken (Sheila) Pearce, and daughter, Linda (Murray) Dallas. Joyce was an amazing grandmother to Kevin (Lindsey) Pearce, Pamela (Monty) Stokke, Quinten (Alesa) Pearce, Stacey (Andrew) McFetridge, Greg (Jo-Ashlie) Dallas, and Arlette (Joe) Jacob. Her 12 great grandchildren will also carry on her legacy.
Joyce was greeted in heaven by her parents, Arthur and Kate Nicholls; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roland and Nellie Pearce; grandson, Mark Pearce; and her 2 brothers and spouses, Ken and Winnie Nicholls and Les and Elsie Nicholls; and sister and spouse, Irene and Leonard Purchase. As well as brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Edith Pearce; and nieces and nephews that predeceased her.
Joyce was born in Bristol, England on October 20, 1924. She met the love of her life, a Canadian soldier named Bob Pearce, on a rainy night in Bristol and the rest is history. A long journey on the SS Aquitania across the Atlantic had her arriving in Canada on June 6, 1947 and married July 21, 1947 at Maple Creek, SK. They lived on a farm near Maple Creek where they raised their family, until moving to Medicine Hat in the fall of 1997.
Joyce kept very busy with gardening, canning and freezing her vegetables. Many delicious meals were shared with family and friends. Christmas was her favorite time of year to share all her baking with their company. Joyce always had a Boxing Day feast for all her family and anyone else that wanted to come. There was always a houseful. She really enjoyed having her grandchildren with her at the farm.
She liked to sew and knit in the spare time she had. Her children and grandchildren were always dressed well with her finished projects. Many an outfit was made for the granddaughter’s dolls, some of which the great grandchildren still are enjoying.
Joyce had many wonderful qualities that have been passed on and will be remembered by all. She enjoyed music and dancing, playing cards/board games, was family oriented, hardworking, quick witted, had a love for children, was tenacious and as her husband Bob would say, she was “little but loud”.
Joyce always loved her cats on the farm and managed to bring one with her when they moved to Medicine Hat. Katie was a spoiled cat that lived to a good old age and didn’t really like anyone but Joyce.