WILKINSON, Joyce

WILKINSON

In peace, JOYCE BAIRD WILKINSON (nee Gee) passed away on September 17 , 2019 at age 96.

Joyce was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. In 1941, at the age of 18, she volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and was posted to the aircraft plotting operations room in Hornchurch, Essex. She was discharged from service in 1946 and shortly after met her husband-to-be, Paul Wilkinson. Paul, an entomologist, was posted to Uganda with the Colonial Service, and in 1947, Joyce followed, to be married in Nairobi Cathedral in May of that year. Their 56 years together were a bounty of adventures that took them around the world with a growing family. From Uganda, they went on to live in Australia, England and finally Canada. Having emigrated to Canada in 1962, they lived in Kamloops, Ottawa and Lethbridge. Throughout all these moves, Joyce created a loving, stable home environment for her 5 children and Paul. She nurtured and guided the family in her steadfast, encouraging and selfless manner. While ensuring her flock were tended to, she also held part-time jobs including stenographer and library assistant. But her greatest passion was serving organizations that assisted those with developmental delays and disabilities wherever her family lived; including being Chair of the Southern Alberta Community Living Association in the 1980s. She also volunteered her time with many other community organizations, including the Galt Museum, Lethbridge Naturalists, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and as President of the On Our Own group.

In all her endeavours she will be remembered for her patience, buoyant smile, support of those that have been dealt less in life and love of nature.

Joyce was predeceased by her dear husband, Paul, and her brother, Dick.

She is lovingly remembered by her children Carol, John, Amanda, Andrew and Jessica as well as 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandsons, niece Jane and nephew Richard.

At Joyce’s request, there will be no Memorial Service. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the Helen Schuler Nature Centre or Special Olympics Alberta-Lethbridge. The family wishes to thank the many staff and management at Martha’s House, Extendicare Fairmont Park and Alberta Health Services for their dedicated efforts to help Joyce in her later years.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com