JOYCE MARION MATTSON (NEE MIZGA)

JOYCE MARION MATTSON (NEE MIZGA) Jul 4-1937 – Dec 5-2024
Joyce is now with her beloved Harold Mattson waltzing to “True Love” among the stars simpatico. She passed peacefully after a short, valiant, unexpected fight with Lung Cancer.
Joyce began her adventurous life in Medicine Hat, AB-born to Michael & Rose Mizga (nee Kutinsky). Whether sailing a makeshift raft across the South Saskatchewan River with her best bud, Susie Middleton or riding her binder down the SE Hill on her way home, she was never averse to exciting & good times. Her love of choirs, free movies & tooling around town with her friends was how she spent her early youth. Her love of competitive sport began early-she was on the Jr. Girls baseball when they won as City Champs in 1951 & held the record for Triple Jump in school for many years. After high school, she moved to Edmonton (1956) for her first job at MacCosham Storage & charmed Harold Mattson in a chance meeting. Returning to their hometown of Medicine Hat, they married on Aug 24, 1957 at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church.
As newlyweds they returned to Cold Lake Air Force Base where Harold was stationed. Brenda was born Jun 30-1958 & as a family began a new journey to Europe (1959) sailing across the Atlantic aboard Cunard RMS Ivernia. Stationed in Marville, France until 1963 & lived in Florenville, Belgium. Collette was born Jan 10-1961 & as a family they ventured around Europe & England. Favorite destination was Denmark to visit the Madsen relatives.
Over the next 18 yrs, they were posted in Moose Jaw, SK (1963), St. Jean, QC (1967), Dartmouth, NS (1973), Namao, AB (1981). After Harold’s retirement, they moved to Brooks (1982), Medicine Hat (1986), Redcliff (1993), Edmonton (2001), Medicine Hat (2007). Joyce always found employment with each transition-Providence Hospital (SK), Crane Canada (QC), Toledo Scale (NS/AB), Shiloh Equip (AB) & Sproule/Bearing Transmission (AB). With the passing of Harold, Joyce found her way back to Edmonton (2014) to live with her daughters for the final 10 years. Creating treasured moments, keeping them on their toes with her ever-present wit & humor. She loved to laugh & her sweet smile remains dear. Her room sits quiet & profoundly empty-missing sounds of sports games, cheering, music & keyboard tapping. She loved sending emails to family & friends sharing jokes, music videos-she was very adept with her computer.
Still focused on fun-bowling, curling, golf & darts filled their spare time. Joyce won Silver Medal in 1986 Alberta Winter Games-5 Pin Bowling, achieving 2-300+ games-5 Pin Bowling in 1989 showed her ever competitive nature. Being at the top of her game brought out her zeal to win even with cards, board games, etc. Stock Ticker-her game of choice-“Oil up 20”. She forever quested for the large lotto winning ticket; scratch tickets ever present.
Favorite destination in retirement was Mesa, Arizona where they visited the sites & relaxed in the warmth of the sun during the winter months with an ever-present novel in hand. Reading was her passion.
Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Calgary Flames & Florida Panthers are short one enthusiastic, cheering fan. She never missed a game & triumphed with the Panthers Stanley Cup win last year. Her spectator sport passion began with her love-hate relationship with Les Canadiens. Her loud cheering of the Boston Bruins in the Montreal Forum did not illicit merriment from home team fans surrounding her. She loved every minute. She was hoping to get to Rogers Centre to see the new renos & cheer on her Blue Jays. It will be a sad time when Opening Season begins in 2025.
Joyce’s priority was always her family. She was fiercely loyal & proud of her daughters. She retained delightful recollections & kept them woven in her heart to share with us. She loved to have conversations with anyone-family, friends, strangers-sussing out their history as they chatted. She was a staunch friend to the end. She & Harold were wonderful parents & their loss will be felt in our hearts forever. We will honor their memory & cherish every moment we shared.
She is survived by devoted daughters-Brenda & Collette. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Ruth Gallagher (Calif), Irene Duncan (Wpg), Joyce Cutts (Edm) & Enid Plumb (Smoky Lake).
She was predeceased by her husband-Harold Mattson, parents-Michael & Rose Mizga & in-laws-Hans & Bertha Mattson & sister-Elsie Sickel.
Extra hugs to special friends-Sue Faure & Dawn McMaster from Medicine Hat who cared for Joyce from near & far-she cherished them-her other “girls”.
Cremation has taken place by Simply Cremations (Edm). Honoring Joyce’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. She will be interred in a private function & laid to rest with Harold “together forever” at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. Both resting in peace in their favorite place, God’s country-Medicine Hat, AB. Finally, they will be back home side by side.
To continue Joyce’s generous nature-please donate to your favorite charity. She was especially fond of the University Hospital Foundation in Harold’s honor for their amazing research in Brain Care.
“You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, & though we cannot see or hold you, you’re always at our side”