DAPHNE “JOYCE” RAMSAY

Joyce Ramsay peacefully passed away at Pembina Place Personal Care Home on October 14th, 2024 at the age of 102. She was predeceased by her parents, Rose and John Brown; and her sister Pat Dadson (husband Henry). She is survived by her daughters, Joy MacLeod (Ian) and Kathryn Ramsay-Ring (Al); her son Paul (Alda); and her grandchildren, Heather Miko (Tom), Colin (Heather), Matthew (Leah), Laura (Gavin), Freya, Kaya, and Aisha; and her great-grandchildren, Keilin, Joshua, Anna, Kinsley, Tessa, Finn, and Carly.

Born on April 26th, 1922, life for mom and her sister Pat started in Elmwood. The early years were happy times surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and lots of friends. Days were filled with school activities, clubs, musicals, C.G.I.T. and eventual graduation from St. John’s High School. Mom’s passions throughout her life included church, singing, ballroom dancing, sports, acting, volunteering, and family.   

Joyce enjoyed an active social life, and during the 1940’s, she met and married Alex Ramsay. The young couple spent their time at the Y.M.C.A, the Canoe Club; attended many Winnipeg dances and eventually decided on having a family.  Mom and Dad loved to take their three children on trips to B.C, filled their days with activities at the Y, and instilled a love of the lake by creating cherished time at both Minaki and Victoria Beach. And so began the creation of a lifetime of memories for mom, with her family and friends at these two favourite locations. Despite the divorce from Alex after 27 years of marriage, Joyce remained busy and active.  

Over the years, Mom found employment at the Ryan Insurance Company, the Tupper Adams Law Firm and the Grain Research Laboratory here in Winnipeg where she retired in 1989. She was very active in the churches of Gordon King Memorial, Crescent Fort Rouge, Augustine United, and Sturgeon Creek United.  She spent countless hours volunteering her time at 400 Stradbrooke, various boards at her churches, knitting for the Christmas Cheer board and countless committees where she could lend her voice and opinion. 

Mom loved travelling and her adventures led her all over the world to places like Israel, Egypt, Thailand and her beloved England. In later years, her favourite place to enjoy the sun was on the back deck at Victoria Beach. Her days were filled with golf, where her trademark swing was often followed by muttering “spit” as the ball trickled down the fairway. Round Robin tennis at the courts and swimming with her cap on to protect her permanent was often the afternoon pleasure. Routinely she was heard discussing playing tennis and possibly riding a bike as she crept towards being a centurion. She loved her sports whether it was The Jets, The Jays, The Bombers, or golf. TSN was locked on the television, and everyone knew that when Roger was playing, not Tiger, she was happy. Morning coffees, afternoon gin and tonics and a glass of Chardonnay were treasured staples. If you were fortunate enough to partake in chips and salsa, cucumber sandwiches and cheese crisps in the back porch, you might have participated in the many discussions about whatever topic was in the news. Always full of spit and vinegar, she was well read and not afraid to share her opinions and engage in debates with anyone. She took pride in the variety of courses she took for 20 years at the University of Winnipeg and used this knowledge to fuel her ability to deliver a good argument. These academic courses kept her mind young. Mom never shied away from an argument, insisted that she was always right and stood her ground no matter the cost. 

Mom will be remembered as someone who always “showed up” and attended many sports and concerts. She could make a mean roast, mold cherry flips in the perfect shape, bake valentine cupcakes with the most delicious icing, knit socks and mitts that never quite fit, and never had a hair (or eyebrow) out of place.

The aging process was difficult for mom to accept and extremely challenging for many as she transitioned to Westhaven Independent Living and Pembina Place. The family is very grateful for the patience and care given to her over the last few years of her life by those who worked in these buildings. Mom lived a full life and as reluctant as she was to leave this world, she is once again reunited with her beloved sister Pat and her mom and dad. 

Joyce’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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