Obituary of Joyce Byrt

Joyce (Deane) Byrt Joyce was born December 15, 1919 in the small farming community of Slough near London England to James and Phyllis Deane, and the family immigrated to the Greenwood district north of Lloydminster in 1921. She grew up on a small farm with 3 brothers and 2 sisters, moving to Lloydminster after her father died in 1935. Joyce was academically bright, won the Governor Generals medal in grade 12, attended the University of Saskatchewan for one year on a scholarship, loved life to the full, and from her earliest memory was a person of strong Christian faith in the Anglican tradition. She married Stan Byrt on August 16, 1940, and followed him around the country for the next 5 years while he served in the Canadian Army. They farmed at Kitscoty, Alberta for most of the next 10 years with 6 children born to them by 1952. Stan worked in the oilfield for a few years, and then they started a family water well contracting business, centered in Lloydminster, that their sons continued to operate until the early 2000's. Stan and Joyce retired in the late 1970's to summers of camping, fishing and family in Saskatchewan and Alberta and winters in Arizona in a 5th wheel RV. Stan died in 1983, and Joyce then continued to live in Lloydminster in her own home until 2004. There came a time when it became necessary for Joyce to move out of her own home and into a private care home. It was a difficult time for her as she learned to cope with the losses, not just of her short term memory (which she says left without asking permission!), but of her own house, friends, and her ability to live independently. However, she still cared for her personal needs, read, visited with family, went out for meals and coped with the losses the best she could. She continued to read as she always had, and to do crossword puzzles, maybe just not the most difficult ones that used to be her practice. In 2009 she moved into Luther Special Care Home, residing there until her passing. She has always lived her life fully, giving more than she received, loving without reserve, and caring for those who needed care. She is greatly loved by us, her family. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Stan, her daughter-in-law Willa, and great-grandchildren Diana and Justin. She is survived by her six children and their families. A memorial service was held at St. John's Anglican Church on January 2. Donations to honor Joyce may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Donations in memory of Joyce may be made to the charity of the donors choice.