It is with deep sadness that we must announce the passing of Joyce Beda Lucy on November 11, 2021  at 2:10 am in the St. Boniface General Hospital. Joyce’s health had been declining for some time due to diabetes and age  related ailments.

 

She leaves to mourn her passing, husband and soul mate Henry Russell Lucy; sons, Wendell Robert Lucy and Warren William Lucy (Kandi); granddaughter Melissa Marie Lucy; and grandson Brock Bradley Lucy. She is also survived by sister Judith Marie Gusdal (Danny) and brother Ellwood Paul Johnson; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and many friends. Joyce was predeceased by her parents.

A Celebration of Lucy's Life will be held at 11:30am, Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at the Unitarian Church, 603 Wellington Crescent. Due to COVID restrictions, guests will be asked for proof of vaccination and are asked to RSVP to ensure we are not exceeding occupancy limitations. Those wishing to attend should CLICK HERE to register.

 

Joyce’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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Judy and Ellwood share their thoughts

about Joyce’s early years.

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On June 22, 1942, Joyce Beda delighted her parents, Robert and Astrid  Johnson, with her arrival! Her preschool years were spent with them on  a farm where her first language was Swedish. The family grew with the  addition of her sister Judith Marie and later, baby brother Ellwood Paul. When she was six years old, her father’s ill health led to their departure  from the farm to a one-acre property which later became known as  Robert’s corner. Her elementary school years were completed at the one room rural school at Hilltop, MB. During these years, a life long faith  was nourished and led to her desire to serve others. Precious family  memories include cozy evenings around the kitchen stove, Christmas  celebrations at Momo’s and church and community events. A dream  came true for her to attend the faith-based boarding High School at  Caronport, SK. During her summers at home, she was a respected  employee at the Snack Bar at Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park. These summers were treasured times of re-establishing strong  bonds with her family and friends. Upon high school graduation, she  was accepted into the Registered Nursing program at St. Boniface  Hospital, in Winnipeg. This launched a long and successful career where she served others! 

 

Henry's Memories

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Henry arrived on the scene after Joyce graduated from the three year RN program at St. Boniface. She moved to Birtle Manitoba where her  mother and brother lived after her father passed away. Her mother was a matron for the girls living at the Birtle Indian Residential School. Joyce worked at the Birtle District Hospital. Henry also worked at the school  as a cook. Astrid, Joyce’s mom, would invite all the young workers  over for Swedish coffee and goodies, hence Joyce met Henry. Our relationship blossomed and we were married the following  September at Hilltop Baptist Church. We lived in Birtle before moving  to Preaceville, SK. There, we ran a theater together for 7 months while  Joyce kept us alive by working at the local hospital. We moved to  Winnipeg in the fall of 1966. Joyce had no problem securing a position  as nurse at St. Boniface Hosp. She worked on the gyne ward. One of  the nuns said she was the best catholic nurse (even though she was  protestant) because if a patient had a miscarriage when Joyce was with  the patient she immediately baptised the fetus (baby). In her training  Joyce had learned the importance to the Catholic mother that her baby  was baptised. She had also used this knowledge when working at Birtle Hospital when a mother came running in with the young child she had  accidentally run over. The mother was very upset because the child was  not baptised. Joyce immediately got some water and baptised the child  who was not breathing. But just to be safe one of the nuns on duty  baptised the child again. 

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When Joyce was pregnant with Wendell she was able to work until  April. She delivered Wendell on May 28th. In those days women did not get time off and collect EI so Joyce went back to work as a casual within 6 weeks. A couple of months later she discovered she was pregnant  again causing my mother to ask “Why?”. Joyce’s reply was, “It takes  two!” (sweet)! 

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By this time we had become involved with the Transcona Alliance  Church plant in Transcona. The Christian and Missionary Alliance was  a new church denomination to me but not to Joyce. We became Charter Members when the church organized.  

Joyce had always (from childhood) wanted to be a Missionary (hence  the Caronport High School at Briercrest Bible College). She soon 

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became involved with the Women’s Missionary Prayer Fellowship also  known as WMPF. Later she became the church president of the now  renamed group, Alliance Women, in her church. She was able to  encourage the church ladies to support the CMA missionaries at home  and abroad. She was then elected to the area Alliance Women  Committee. Then on to the Canadian Midwest District as President of  Alliance Women. Her whole heart was in this ministry for many years.  She loved communicating with the missionaries (remember back then it  was snail mail)! 

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Joyce worked as a Head Nurse on 7AW general surgery at the St. Boniface Hospital for 10  years. She had great rapport with doctors, interns and medical staff.  From there she went to part time service on Palliative Care. Her faith  helped her work with the dying and those grieving. She was acting  Head Nurse on the unit when my mom was admitted and passed. Joyce was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in 1997 at which time  she retired from nursing. The cancer was cured and the University of  Manitoba summoned her to work for them for 6 months as a facilitator  for BN students on the Palliative Care Ward at St. B. I believe it turned  into a 5 year term. She loved to teach and was so very patient. After she retired again she started having more health challenges related to her diabetes. Joyce was so appreciative of the Home Care workers  who attended to her needs. Some of these seemed like daughters and  granddaughters to her. This care much improved her quality of life. On November 2nd, Joyce was rushed to St. Boniface where she was  diagnosed with pneumonia. This led to a cardiac event and eventually  her passing. 

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Our comfort is in knowing that she is at peace and in the arms of Jesus.