Joyce ‘Joy’ Curtis

With profound sadness we announce the quiet passing of Joy, our strong and devoted mother, loving wife, and loyal friend who reluctantly yet courageously accepted the diagnosis of a rare blood cancer in her ninetieth year. After an intimate day of loving caresses and beautiful music, Joy succumbed peacefully—even elegantly—to her last sleep, drifting into the mist of God’s wilderness to join her beloved, John, for one final portage—together again, fearlessly.

Quintessentially gracious throughout her life, Joy forever modelled kindness and compassion, provided incisive and especially insightful commentary, and lived with a fierce independence—right up to her final hours. Joy revealed the depth of her resilience over the past year or so as she learned to live life without John.

Style and fashion always turned Joy’s eye—and distinguished her as a trend-setter with her stunning hand-made gowns that dazzled at the formal charity events she organized. Her natural creativity spilled over into the production of stained glass, pottery, and intricate knitted pieces. Between projects, Joy was a competitive tennis champ and would remain a voracious reader and film buff. With what appeared to be effortless grace, Joy always contributed heartily to her community and literally countless causes. Up to her last days, she persisted as a top score in Scrabble and was stubbornly optimistic about her Toronto Blue Jays—an enthusiasm shared with her life-long friend Mildred Spence with whom she attended Toronto General Hospital’s four-year Registered Nursing program (Class of ’56).

But without her beloved John, life could not be the same. From their first encounter at Haliburton’s Golden Slipper (aka The Old Boot) Joy set the tone for what would be a life-long union of two equals. Despite Joy’s sky-high standards, John proved true love for his darling ‘Joycey’ immediately and faithfully. Together they succeeded in building a marriage that was the pride of them both and the envy of many: deeply loving and affectionate to the end. The ‘Two Jays’ would grow together like a tree to a fence for close to 70 years. This lucky duo was always in step—heart, mind, and soul.

From building homes together in Toronto, North Bay, Owen Sound, Haliburton, Richmond Hill, and London, to skiing from the sweet little Collingwood chalet constructed by their own hands—togetherness was key. Whether floating across the dance floor (more often the kitchen floor) or teaming up at the Bridge table these “First Mates, Forever” enjoyed sailing Georgian Bay in the “JoySea” after having years earlier conquered the wilds of Algonquin.

Joy and John were indeed a formidable pair as they lived out the values of love, commitment, and mutual respect—modelling ideals for their girls that instilled a life-long commitment to reasonableness, kindness, and humility. To her last day, Joy relished every single moment of family time. She kept very close to her loved ones near and far. Joy’s home was forever warm and filled with beautiful memories of family, debate-filled dinners, raucous laughter, and tales spanning a lifetime of adventure. It was a home steeped in love, respect, and the thoughtful, proud expression of family values.

Yearning for her brilliant and beloved John, Joy was torn to leave behind her surviving family, especially her three beautiful daughters Cynthia, Holly, and Janet Gilmour (Thane). This sweet Nana will be forever held dear in the hearts of her “precious bundles” namely her grandchildren, Caprice and Cree.