JOYCE LOUISE REID

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, after a short stay at Riverview Health Center, the family of Joyce Reid said goodbye to our mom, grandma, great grandma and sister. 

Left to cherish the memories of her long life are her two sisters, Rosemarie Kvern and Marlene Brown; as well as Joyce's five children and their partners, Joanne Trakalo (Brent McDonald), Murray (Debra Smithson), Mary Lou Wiens (Wayne Anderson), Barbara and Cam Loney and Bruce (Doreen Devloo).

She is also survived by her greatest joy and sense of pride, her 10 grandchildren and partners and 11 great grandchildren: Lee and Tricia Trakalo (Sarah and Mathew), Colin Trakalo (Braydon Norleen) Scott Reid and Chloe Wolstencroft Reid, Ashleigh and Chris Derksen (Norah, Henry, Emma) Jeff and Rachel Wiens (Logan, Taveon, Brynne), Cheryl Wiens and Jenn Fehr Alec and Nikki Loney (Hudson), Reed Loney and Sydney Huculak Brett and Nicole Reid, Lisa and Brad Dickson (Aurora) and extended family Juhelle Boulet and Jeremy Roberts (Reyna), Nikki Boulet and Scott Henry.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband Ken Reid; grandson Jarrod Reid; son-in-law Jack Wiens; parents, John and Mary Buffie; siblings, Caroline, Charlie, Margaret, Anne, Ida, Hilda, Irene, Ernie, Dorothy, Albert, Johnny, Rudy, Ruth and Gertrude; as well as numerous family members and in-laws.

Mom was born the fifteenth of seventeen children to John and Mary at St. Boniface Hospital and was first raised in the North-end of Winnipeg. The family made a change and moved to farm in East Selkirk, MB where the lessons of hard work and commitment were established. Eventually the family moved to Toronto Street in Selkirk where life began to change again. As Mom grew from early teens to a young lady, the advantage of being raised in a large family was that there was somewhere to live when leaving home to move to the Big City of Winnipeg. She worked at several places and ended up at Gray's Wholesales where she eventually met a delivery driver named Ken Reid and surprise, life changed yet again.

Ken and Joyce were married in November of 1952 and started their family of five. In 1953, the couple purchased their first home on the corner of Kent and McCalman in East Elmwood. During that time, weekends were spent going out to Selkirk for many Buffie family gatherings or to the little cottage on Ash Street in Winnipeg Beach to spend time with the Bain and Stack families. These strong family ties meant everything to Mom and Dad which has been passed down and carried on by their children. Mom stayed at home raising her children until the mid 1960's at which time she started working part-time in various departments at Eaton's. She then took a full-time position in the children's shoes in 1971 beginning a 25-year career, first in the downtown location and retiring at the Eaton's St. Vital Center location in 1996.

In 1972, after 19 years at 966 McCalman Avenue, Mom and Dad along with their children made another life change and moved to 30 Glenlawn Avenue in St. Vital, where Mom remained 49 years until 2021. They also decided in 1976 to purchase property on the newly proposed Sandy Hook Golf Course and built a family cabin that was enjoyed by all until life began to change again in 2004. Retirement allowed them to travel and get away in the cold winters for a few years, but also gave Mom the opportunity to spend time in her yard with her flowers and tomatoes (mmmm...those toasted tomato sandwiches), relaxing at the lake and most importantly, becoming full-time grandparents and taking every opportunity to attend their grandchildren’s activities.

In 2009, life changed yet again as Dad's health started declining and Mom took on providing comfort and care enabling him to remain at home until his passing in August of 2013. We know how grateful Dad, as well as his family was, that Mom was able to provide this care. Joyce and Ken were blessed to share their 60th Wedding Anniversary with a large gathering of family and friends the previous November of 2012.

Mom continued living in the Glenlawn home, working in her yard, having a little vino and munchies, cheering on the Winnipeg Jets, some trips to "the machines" and just having fun with her neighbours Marcie, Kim and of course Aunty Rosemarie (we lovingly referred to the two of them as Thelma and Louise) until July of 2021 when another life change lead her to move into Dakota House.

The Glenlawn Avenue house was known to Joyce's grandchildren as Grandma and Grandpa's Place, so it was only fitting that the evening Mom left there for the last time, there was a parade of vehicles filled with as many family members as possible following her, getting her safely to her new home, and celebrating by honking and driving around the complex's parking lot... "Hello Dakota House, Joyce Reid has arrived".

Mom moved into Dakota House and was soon accepted and welcomed by residents and staff alike. Her impact on others made for a fun, interesting next four years. Between trips to the Mall, Bingo, planned lunches at different restaurants and trips to the Casino, Mom was a very busy lady. Soon after, Aunty Rosemarie moved into Dakota House and it became like old home week with weekly hair appointments with Tricia cab rides to the Mall and other places, they remained free and independent. They were going to keep going and doing it their way. But sadly, as we know, Father-time also keeps going as well.

Over the last year, Mom's health became more of a concern and in the last month had taken a turn for the worse. So, with all she could muster, Mom prepared herself for one last battle. Mom's biggest love and joy in the world were all the babies born into her family. She was surrounded in the end by as many of her "babies" that could be there to show their love to mom/grandma/great grandma, and how fitting it was that one of the last things Mom did was hold and look adoringly into the eyes of her 11th great grand baby, 5 week old Aurora, whispering "welcome little one, you will be the last grand baby I will meet, I’m so full of love". Shortly after, we sadly had to bid “aufwiedershen” to our mom, grandma, great grandma, sister and our friend.

Our family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to the amazing staff of 3E at Riverview Health Center for the care provided to Mom and her family during her final days. We also wish to thank the amazing Staff at Dakota House for the love and care shown to Joyce over the last four years. She had so much love for all of you especially all "her kids" serving in the dining room and in the end, delivering her meals to her apartment. 

Lastly, we cannot express enough appreciation and gratitude to the Home Care staff: Anna, Wendy, Mae, Sharon and her Nurse Vicky whom all gave Mom the utmost of love, care, comfort, respect, and dignity right to the end. Please know she adored each and every one of you.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Boniface Golf Club, 100 Rue Youville, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce's memory to the Riverview Health Center. 

Thanks for always 

Being there for us, Mom. 

One day, 

We will all be together again 

Somewhere to join you 

In “dancing up a storm”.

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.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​