Joyce Blanchard

MRS. JOYCE BLANCHARD, loving wife of the late Frank Blanchard, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 5th, 2009 at the Chinook Regional Hospital.
Joyce is survived by her daughters Cathy Stotz-Jestin, Susan Blanchard, Jacqui Pascoe (Jim) and Candace Pollock, grandchildren Kelly Williams (Richard), Wade Blanchard (Heather), Brooke Pollock, Benton Pollock, great grandchildren Felicia, Kristy, Melissa and Crystalann Stotz, Samantha and Haylee Williams. She is predeased by her son Richard Blanchard, grandchildren Troy, Stacy and Darcy Stotz.

Joyce was born January 25, 1925 in Montreal, Quebec. She received her education one year early because her high learning ability. Joyce met Frank in Montreal while she was a member of the WAAF and while Frank was with the Air Force. They were married on May 27th, 1944. They moved out west to Bowness (Calgary) in 1947. Joyce loved her Bowness home which was close to the Bow River where many hours were spent admiring the natural beauty of the area. Joyce had five children, four of them born while living in Bowness.

Joyce and Frank moved to Lethbridge in 1963 to start their business called SARC Repair. They later opened locations in Medicine Hat and Cranbrook, BC. Joyce, at 46 years of age, gave birth to Candace; the last of her five children. Joyce was a mother and grandmother for most of her life. She took on several jobs outside the home throughout her life however her children and family always came first. Frank and Joyce were members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Joyce enjoyed sewing clothes for her family as well as costumes for the Lethbridge Figure Skating Club. She was an avid reader and spent many hours at the Lethbridge Public Library. Joyce and Frank had a summer cottage at Tie Lake where family and friends gathered frequently to create great memories together. In 1986 Frank suffered a severe stroke; Joyce was a wonderful wife and took care of Frank until the time of his passing in 1997.

For the past 12 years Joyce has been a part of many organizations and enjoyed spending time with the ""on your own gang"", the grief club, the stroke group and the seniors centre.

Joyce was a gentle loving woman with a dynamite sense of humor. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. We will miss her great wit and loving smile. With sad hearts we give our mother back to God. Her faith, belief and dedication to the Creator and the Church were a strong part of her life and now she is back with Him and our beloved father. Goodnight our Mother, God bless and we love you. You will truly be missed.

Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects at 12:30 pm on Friday, October 9, 2009, at ST. AUGUSTINE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 -11th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, October 9, 2009 at ST. AUGUSTINE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta.