JOYCE MARY MARSH, known to all as "GRANNY", passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, January 1, 2013 at the age of 85 years.
She is the loving mother of Gordon (Mary) Marsh of Arrowwood, AB; Arnie (Margaret) Marsh of Saskatoon, SK; Jean (Stan) McNab of Fort Macleod, AB; Janet (Jay) Marsh of New Dayton, Jo-Ann (Dan) Vayro of Eastend, SK; step-mother to Gwen (Chuck) Zamzow of Bellingham, Washington; Noreen Guthry of Vancouver, BC; Diane Logan of Fort Langley, BC; Tuffy, Mags, Ginger and Shadow.
She is survived by 15 Grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Dorothy Bell, Carol (Bill) Oliver, her sister-in-law Marion Hobberstad and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Clarence, her parents Albert and Edith Kitchen, and her step son Alden Marsh.
Joyce was born on October 24, 1928 in Yorkshire England to Albert and Edith Kitchen and was the eldest of three daughters. As a young girl she worked hard on her family’s farm and her love for horses and Jack Russell Terriers began. Just five days before her 20th Birthday, Joyce alone, embarked on a journey to Canada, setting sail on the R.M.S “Aquitania”. Joyce arrived with only her clothes and an English saddle, working her way west across Canada. Taking on jobs from farm work to childcare, this strong and independent young lady made her way to Calgary, AB where she met and married Clarence Marsh. Joyce then began another journey in her life and became the mother of 5 children.
They settled their young family in the Fort Macleod area, farming and raising cows, horses, sheep and pigs. After Clarence passed away March 8, 1975, Joyce and the kids moved to the “Northy” place just southwest of Fort Macleod and continued to farm. Joyce was able to make several trips back to England to visit her family. Joyce moved to Del Bonita, AB in 1993 where she had her horses, dogs and chickens that she cared for. In 2003 Joyce moved to New Dayton, AB where she continued to care for her animals and enjoy her country lifestyle.
Joyce’s passion was riding horses, driving buggies and tending to her dogs. She participated in Equestrian events and won numerous awards. Joyce loved the ranch life and was a perfectionist at animal husbandry. She took great pride in raising her children and her animals. Joyce was a very hard worker with an exceptional work ethic and she was always teaching somebody something. Her motto was “Anything worth doing was worth doing well”.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the NEW DAYTON COMMUNITY CENTRE, on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 2:00 P.M.
In memory of Joyce, donations may be made to the Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association RR8 - 24 - 6, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4P4
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
