Joyce died peacefully surrounded by her family at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Violet (Hill) and Nimrod N. Folbigg. Her father was a WWI war hero who fought at the battle of Passchendaele. In the 1930s, her family moved to Victoria, BC where Joyce resided in her family home in Oak Bay until age 90 when she moved to Amica on the Gorge. Joyce was a pupil at the Provincial Normal School and graduated from Oak Bay High School in 1946. After high school, she worked with the Provincial Government for $60.00 a month and finished her career as the executive secretary to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
Joyce was a member of the Racquet Club of Victoria and was a championship badminton player. She also was a member of the Cedar Hill Golf Club where she enjoyed many years of playing golf with friends. Joyce joined the Outdoor Club of Victoria in 1948 and was the longest continuously active member of the club until her death. Joyce helped write, edit, and contribute photographs to the series of publications, Hiking Trails, by the Outdoor Club of Victoria, first published in 1972. She was a Director of the Vancouver Island Trails Information Society and a member of other environmental groups.
Joyce had many interests and hobbies that included travelling, hiking, photography, stamp collecting, working in her beautiful garden, and caring for her home. She valued her many friendships, particularly her lifelong childhood friend, May Murray, friends Peggy Little and Peter Kilshaw, and her co-worker Lynn Brown and their families. Joyce travelled extensively all over Canada and the world with many good friends. She loved her adopted family, Kevin, Gayle, Sean, and Jason (Aimee Kernick) Burr and spent many happy holidays and birthdays with them. She will be greatly missed by cousins in England and her many friends around the world. Joyce had a positive personality, enjoyed life and lived it well, and laughed often! We will miss her!
A Celebration of Joyce’s life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm. Masks and Proof of Vaccination are required. In lieu of flowers, Joyce would appreciate any donations to be directed toward environmental organizations, hospital foundations, or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family and friends below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Greg and Val Windwick
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Dianne Cruise As a Travel Consultant, I always enjoyed assisting Joyce with her interesting Travels. She and her good friend, Janet Pitchford were a delight to work with and I have fond memories of our meetings and lunches to plan the trips. Her sense of humour was refreshing.
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Di Chawner & Maggie Birchmore Our dear friend Joyce with whom we have had some wonderful times and travels, who has entertained us with her wit and many stories. We first met Joyce, with Peggy, on a walking holiday in the UK. Our friendship continued and we met up from time to time whilst we were travelling in the USA and Canada with our RV. She inspired us to keep on travelling and be adventurous. She certainly was. We have many photos and great memories of this great lady who we will miss so much but never forget.
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Betty Crow (Townsend) I would like to convey my condolences to family and friends of Joyce especially to May Murray who was also a school mate of our’s in Grade 1 to 6 at Model School (part of Normal School). I have many happy memories of time spent at her home at Ten Mile Point.
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Wendy King Our Dearest Cousin Joyce
So many happy memories and despite the miles between us always an enduring special bond. The memories of wonderful times spent with family on your visits to Devon, England and my special adventures with you in BC will always remain. Your kind and devoted interest in Callum and his achievements was so heartwarming and Brian will always thank you for introducing him to Canadian Club! We have lost a very special cousin who will be greatly missed but the memories will remain. On behalf of your family in Devon, England thank you for the kindness, the fun and laughter and for simply being you. Our love always, Cousin Wendy & family
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Rachel Murray Joyce was so lovely. My two favourite memories of her was when my mom was graduating with her masters in nursing from Uvic. Joyce and May had had a few glasses of wine and I had the pleasure of sitting with the drunk grannies in the crowd, giggling and heckling, while we cheered on my mom. The second was when she flew in a helicopter to come visit my Granny probably 5 years ago. It was so funny, Granny and me driving downtown to go pick up our guest from the helijet. It was very luxurious. Joyce was a wonderful friend to my Granny May. She was an inspiration for women, an absolute delight and will be missed. Lots of love to you Joyce:)
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Paul Kilshaw Always fascinating talking with Joyce, she showed such sincere interest in all of us. I always enjoyed the photos and tales of the adventures of Peggy and Joyce, and brother Peter who may or may not have been the ringleader 🙂 and the jest for life she imparted on us was contagious.
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Catherine Dempsey I only met Joyce after she and my mother became friends in the 80’s. After that, a visit to Joyce every time I came to BC was part of the schedule. She was so warm, friendly, funny, and adventurous. I know Mom will miss her, and when I think of Victoria, there will be a little hole where Joyce used to be.
But that little hole will have rays of sunshine coming out of it.
Joyce was a part of my family for many years. She and my uncle, Jack I’Anson, would often be at family gatherings and I always enjoyed our conversations. She was witty and thoughtful; we had a common interest in hiking and in our careers with the B.C. Government (where, I believe, she and Jack met).
Sadly, their relationship ended in the 1990s when Jack fell victim to dementia. He passed away in 2008 after 9 years in private care. She did see Jack once more when she came to my mother’s memorial in 2001. She and Jack sat and talked for a while and I think he still recognized her.
Our paths crossed again when my wife and I started to attend student performances at Phoenix Theatre and found that Joyce was also a regular. It was nice to chat at intermissions and to see that she was still the bright, positive person we’d always known. It felt good to have helped find her father’s Great War army record in the National Archives, to give her official details of his service.
COVID interrupted Phoenix activity and we didn’t see her again.
We’re sorry for your loss, we will have fond memories of Joyce.