KALETA Joyce
Posted: January 7th, 2016
KALETA
JOYCE DOREEN (FORBES) KALETA passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the age of 86 years, surrounded by her dearest friends and family.
Joyce was the eldest of Wilmot and Alma Forbes’ three daughters. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on July 21, 1929. In 1948 she moved to Lethbridge with her father and youngest sister Lois after the death of their mother.
Once settled in Lethbridge, Joyce worked a short time in the egg and poultry industry where she was introduced to her future husband, Michael Kaleta. They married on January 20, 1951. Soon after she started working for Woolworths which turned in to a career lasting over 40 years. For Joyce the best part of working for Woolworths was travelling across Canada to open new stores.
Joyce was very active in the First United Church of Lethbridge and spent many years teaching Sunday school and preparing food for various church functions. She was well known for her meat pies. She also volunteered as a Girl Guide leader for more than 25 years. Joyce kept in contact with many of her Woolworths co-workers over the years and had annual lunches with the ladies. She was never blessed with children of her own, but always referred to the Girl Guides as her kids. Following her retirement, Joyce and Mike travelled across Canada, the Caribbean and made annual treks to Mexico with family and friends.
Joyce was predeceased by her mother Alma, father Wilmot, sisters Lois and Betty and husband Michael.
Joyce is survived by her father’s second family, Arlene Harrold from Ottawa, ON, Jean Andrew from Prince George, BC, Rowena Webb from Grande Prairie, AB, Kathleen Taylor from Edmonton, AB, Jim Forbes from Granisle, BC and Craig Forbes from Edmonton, AB and their respective families; her niece Wilma (Mo) Hrabluik from Calgary, AB, nephew Doug (Margitta) Greeno from Taber, AB, and her sister-in-law Ella Wilk from Calgary, AB and their respective families.
Joyce will be fondly remembered by her special Lethbridge “family” of Roy Swidinsky, Kevin (Patti) and family, Bryan and family and dear friends Paulette (Stan) DeCoste, and Sherryl DeCoste.
Joyce had such a kind heart and will be dearly missed by all. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.
A Memorial Service will be held at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME, 703-13 Street North, Lethbridge on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverends Eva Stanley and Glenda Wert co-officiating.
Inurnment to take place in Archmount Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Church, or the Birds of Prey Centre in remembrance of Joyce.