Obituary of Joyce Law

LAW: After a courageous two month stay at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Joyce Elsie (Kearney) passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the age of 78 years. Mom was born November 1, 1936 in Rainy River, Ontario, to Mary and Ezra Kearney. She was the second oldest of six children. Mom grew up on the family farm at Sleaman, Ontario. She worked hard helping on the farm and helped to look after her younger brother and sisters. She attended school in Rainy River and often talked about the long walk from the farm to where they had to catch the school bus. Of course, if they stopped to play along the way, they would have to find another way of getting to school. Mom started working at a young age in the tourist camps. She cleaned and worked in the kitchen and cared for another family's children as well. That is probably where Mom got her love of children and cooking, and she always had a neat and tidy house. Mom moved to Mine Centre, Ontario with a good friend, Mae. It was there that she would meet her life partner, Nick. On April 9, 1955, both at the age of 17, Mom and Nick were married in International Falls, Minnesota. They had four children: Marie, Dianne, David and Jacqueline. Dad worked for the Railway and this job would move the family many times throughout Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. During those years, Mom cared for the children and the home - a job she took serious. Her children meant everything to her and she loved them with everything in her. When the family finally settled in Brandon and the children were older, Mom returned to work. For over 10 years she worked in the kitchen at Kokonas, a job she enjoyed very much. She also worked at Olde Tymes washing the dishes and looking after the Salad Bar. Mom took great pride in her work and did it well. Anyone who knew Mom would know of her love for crafts and crocheting. She would spend hours creating beautiful works of art. Every fall for over 20 years, Dad would take Mom to craft sales. There, she would display and sell her beautiful creations. Mom enjoyed those years and the sales and always looked forward to those weekend trips. Another passion of Mom's was cooking. Her house always had wonderful smells of something tasty cooking. She loved to bake bread, and hers was always the best. Over the years, Mom would pack up her supplies and spend the day baking bread at Marie's house and then the next day Dianne's. When Mom was baking at home, her youngest granddaughter would stop by for a sample of Grandma's buns. As she would say, "they were the best…soft and fluffy." Mom is survived by her husband of 60 years, Nick. Her children: Marie (Lorne), Dianne (George), David and Jacqueline (Murray). Seven grandchildren: Sheena, Courtney, Ashley, Nickolas, Brittany, Allan and Lillianne. Four great grandchildren: Madison, Serena, Peyton, and Samantha. Two brothers Frank and Mick, two sisters Theresa and Kathleen, and sister-in-law Doris. Mom is predeceased by her parents Mary and Ezra Kearney. Mother and father-in-law Doris and John Law. Two brothers-in-law John and Mike Law. Her brother Patrick Kearney, and grandson Adam Heslip. We would like to thank the Health Sciences Centre for the excellent care Mom received over the last two months. Doctor Buduhan, Dr. Masters, Doctor Tan and the entire Thoracic team that did so much to treat and repair Mom's esophagus. The countless Doctors, Nurses and Aides in the Emergency room, the PACU, SICU, A3 Stepdown, GH6. The care and kindness you showed to Mom was beyond belief. To the Emergency room Doctors at Brandon Regional Health Centre for recognizing the need to send Mom to Winnipeg for care, thank you. To the Doctors and Nurses on the fourth floor for their care of Mom. To the Doctor who realized something was not right and sent Mom back to Winnipeg for care – thank you. Finally, thank you to Dr. S. Engelbrecht for your compassionate care for Mom over the years. A time of visitation will be held at Brockie Donovan Funeral Home, 332-8th Street, on Friday October 2, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will take place at the Chapel on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Funeral Celebrant, Kim Lewarne, officiating. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Barret, Bruce Clements, Allan Heslip, Nickolas Law, George Oliver and Flyn Warburton. Thank you to everyone for the kindness you have shown through this difficult time. We appreciate it very much, as would Mom.