MATTHEWS:
It is with great sorrow we wish to announce the passing of Joyce Matthews, formerly of Parksville and recently a resident of Rocky Mountain Village on May 15, 2014 at the age of 91 years.
Mum (Joyce) was born September 25, 1922 in Liverpool, England and came to Canada as a war bride. She went back to England and raised her son David over there, then in her 40’s emigrated to Michigan, USA and lived there for 25 years before moving to Parksville where she for many years was president of the Parksville Stroke Association. Upon retiring from there she moved to Fernie to be closer to her son and family.
She leaves behind to grieve her; son David Gildea and his wife Dorothy, granddaughter Alleine, grandson Steven Gildea and his wife Claudia in Bathurst, Australia and her three great grandchildren Liam, Molly and Noah.
Joyce was predeceased by her mother Flora Plummer and her father John Plummer, her sister Pat Brady and brother-in-law Peter Brady, as well as several nieces and nephews in England. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Blake Matthews in 1992 whilst living in Parksville. She was active in the War Brides Association for many years up until her death, during the war she saw duty as an army driver in England and after the war drove for the Liverpool Police for 6 years before immigrating to the USA.
Joyce led an active and interesting life, travelled the world with a club called the Happy Wanderers and will be sorely missed by her family left behind in Fernie, Bathurst and the UK. No funeral services were held at Joyce’s request. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joyce’s name to: Oceanside Stroke Recovery Group, c/o Treasurer Marie Randall, 399 Dorset Road, Qualicum Beach, BC. V9K1H5. Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.