Joyce Margaret Moore

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce Margaret Moore on November 13th, 2025.

Joyce was predeceased by her son Stuart, her sister Audrey, her parents Herbert “Bert” and Margaret, sisters-in-law Jean, Hazel, Eloise, Helen, Colleen, and brothers-in-law John, Dick, Alec, Clark, Brian and Harry.

Joyce is survived by George, her loving husband of 66 years, daughters Colleen and Janice, grandchildren Ian and Neil, her brother Jim and sister-in-law Elsie, their children and families, her sister Audrey’s children and families, sister-in-law Bernice, her children and families.  Joyce is also survived by an extended family of beloved nieces, nephews and cousins whose love provided so much joy throughout her life.

A church service for Joyce will be held at Sunnybrook United Church on December 5th at 11:00 am, followed by a luncheon from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

Inurnment will take place at Alto Reste Cemetery at 2:30 pm, where Joyce will be laid to rest alongside her son Stuart.

We welcome those who knew Joyce to share stories and memories of her.  There will be a time for Words of Remembrance during the service, and Wilson’s Funeral Chapel site also allows you to contribute your memories of Joyce.

Joyce was born in Calgary, Alberta, moving to Edmonton in her early years.   She was an active, fun-loving child; running, climbing, skating, playing baseball and trying to keep up with her big sister Audrey. 

Joyce went to Victoria Composite High School where she participated in many school sports and lent her hand to the Musical Theatre program in the make-up department.  She also joined the Y Teen program, eventually representing her chapter as president at the International Y Teen Conference in Europe.

Joyce completed her Nurse’s training at the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton Alberta, (graduating class of 1959) after which she married her sweetheart, George.

Joyce worked as a nurse in the maternity ward of the U of A Hospital until she and George began a family.  Joyce and George went on to have 3 children before moving to Red Deer where they made their home.

In Red Deer, Joyce joined Beta Sigma Phi where she fostered deep friendships with her sorority sisters that continued until her passing.

Joyce was passionate about life-long learning and serving others.   She returned to post-secondary learning and completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a mature student.    

Joyce worked at Red Deer Hospital before turning her attention to Community Health at the (then) Red Deer College and, later at Stettler Health Unit where she did pioneering (early 1990s) work with the newly founded Tobacco Reduction Awareness program, as well as “New Babe and Mom support” to families in the Stettler region.  

Joyce became an advocate for social justice and environmental issues, learning alongside her daughter Colleen.  Joyce was active in the Red Deer chapters of the Highland Games Medals Committee, the Council of Canadians and in Sunnybrook Church where she taught Sunday School for many years in the 1970s.

Joyce was ecstatic to have grandchildren and was a proud and doting gramma to Ian and Neil.  She loved being a “hands-on” part of their lives; helping, teaching “new mum” Colleen and cuddling as much as she could.  Joyce and George would often go to Edmonton to attend dance and bagpipe recitals, school concerts, many soccer games and Highland Games events. When she couldn’t be there in person, Joyce would be busy sewing baby items and clothing for her beloved grandchildren, and encouraging them from afar.

Joyce worked as a nurse until retiring in 2001.  In their retirement, Joyce and George spent their time visiting family and neighbours, travelling across Canada and abroad.

Always active as a young person, Joyce continued to participate in sports throughout her adult life.  Cycling, swimming, canoeing, curling, speed skating, soft ball, cross-country and downhill ski-ing were included in the list of activities she enjoyed with her husband George, her children, her Sorority Sisters and later, her grandchildren.  Joyce and George loved to dance!  They were often seen at functions, laughing, grinning and twirling to the swing of a jitterbug tune - truly in love with being together.

Joyce also adored reading, sewing (tailored suits, Highland Dancing outfits, Klondike Days and Halloween costumes, and clothes for her children and grandchildren), crocheting afghans, cheering (enthusiastically!) for her Beloved Blue Jays, listening to music and gardening. 

In the early morning, during the spring and summer months, Joyce could always be found with her hands in the dirt, planting, weeding and revelling in nature’s beauty, or out buying more plants at Parkland Nurseries; because there was always room for “at least one more” plant.   The fall was a time to evaluate her garden and the winter months were spent happily planning next year’s gardening adventures.  

Joyce passed this passion for nature onto her son Stuart, of whom she was so proud and who would ultimately become a Landscape Architect.  Joyce and George planted a small memorial Blue Spruce tree for their son Stuart which has since grown to a majestic height on the front lawn of the Sunnybrook Church. 

While we grieved the passing of Stuart, an important addition was, eventually, to be discovered.   In the manner of Mom and Dad’s favourite show, “Finding your Roots”, our family gained a long-lost member;  Mom’s elder brother Jim.  We met Uncle Jim who had been adopted and unknown to us along with his wife Elsie and our new cousins.   Regular phone calls between Mom and Uncle Jim always started with Uncle Jim’s joyful greeting, “Hello little sister” with Mom responding, “Hello big brother!”  We felt very blessed to have found Mom’s brother.

Joyce will be remembered for her unwavering determination, boundless energy, being quick to laugh, having a beautiful smile, a generous and inclusive spirit; always ready to lend a hand (or George’s), and offering advice or welcoming new families into the neighbourhood with a classic Bundt cake. 

Joyce is deeply missed and will be forever remembered in our hearts.

We wish to thank Dr Julyan-Gudgeon, the nurses and care partners at Taylor View Towers for the kindness, friendship, good humour and respect they showed Joyce and George these past 2 years, and for their continued support, compassion and understanding for George as he grieves the loss of his loving wife and “better half” of 66 years.

For those unable to attend in person the Service will be Livestreamed and can be found on Sunnybrook United Church's Website https://www.sunnybrookunited.org/, 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Margaret Moore, please visit our floral store.