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BORN
May 18, 1923
DIED
October 14, 2024
JOYCE IRVINE Obituary
It is with sadness that we report the death of Alix Joyce Irvine on October 14, 2024 in Victoria. Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Norm Irvine, and leaves surviving her sons Duncan (Sarah) and Don, grandchildren Daniel (Erin) and Karen (Jason), and great grandson Alden.
Joyce was born in Winnipeg in 1923 to Arthur and Mina Johnston. She attended Riverbend School and went on to study English at the University of Manitoba where she graduated with an Honours Degree in English. Joyce and Norm married in 1945, after Norm returned from service with the Canadian Navy, and they both attended McGill University where Joyce graduated with a Masters' Degree in Library Science. They returned to Winnipeg where Joyce began work with the Winnipeg Public Library. Children followed, interrupting her career as a librarian. Eventually, she returned to work, first as a reference librarian in the Government Documents Department at the University of Manitoba Library, and then as the Head Librarian at the Legislative Library of Manitoba.
In 1988, Joyce and Norm abandoned the cold weather of Manitoba and moved to Victoria, although they maintained a continuing bond with their friends in Manitoba through annual visits to their cottage at Falcon Lake. Joyce never regretted the move. She loved Victoria and quickly became involved in the local community, amassing a large group of intimate friends. She thought that moving to Victoria was one of the best decisions she and Norm ever made.
Joyce was a voracious reader and a good friend of the library. She was articulate, thoughtful and kind. She enjoyed public discourse, and was always prepared to express a political opinion. She believed it was a citizen's duty to help the less fortunate - the little guy - as she put it. She was a forward thinking person who believed in the positive aspects of human nature. By living her life the way she did Joyce made the world a better place.
The family would like to thank a number of people who helped with Joyce's care in recent years. First, Joyce was able to live in her own home for the first 100 years of her life due, in part, to the many wonderful caregivers from 'Helping Hands" of Sidney, BC. Second, she also had the good fortune to have Dr. Laura Phillips as her family physician whose skill, compassion and respect Joyce fully appreciated. Finally, in the last year of her life, Joyce fell under the care of the nursing staff at Hart House in Oak Bay. They did their best, successfully, to make her feel comfortable and at home.
Joyce was a longtime contributor to "Our Place" of Victoria, a charity working with the homeless. Anyone wishing to may make a contribution in lieu of flowers.
Joyce was born in Winnipeg in 1923 to Arthur and Mina Johnston. She attended Riverbend School and went on to study English at the University of Manitoba where she graduated with an Honours Degree in English. Joyce and Norm married in 1945, after Norm returned from service with the Canadian Navy, and they both attended McGill University where Joyce graduated with a Masters' Degree in Library Science. They returned to Winnipeg where Joyce began work with the Winnipeg Public Library. Children followed, interrupting her career as a librarian. Eventually, she returned to work, first as a reference librarian in the Government Documents Department at the University of Manitoba Library, and then as the Head Librarian at the Legislative Library of Manitoba.
In 1988, Joyce and Norm abandoned the cold weather of Manitoba and moved to Victoria, although they maintained a continuing bond with their friends in Manitoba through annual visits to their cottage at Falcon Lake. Joyce never regretted the move. She loved Victoria and quickly became involved in the local community, amassing a large group of intimate friends. She thought that moving to Victoria was one of the best decisions she and Norm ever made.
Joyce was a voracious reader and a good friend of the library. She was articulate, thoughtful and kind. She enjoyed public discourse, and was always prepared to express a political opinion. She believed it was a citizen's duty to help the less fortunate - the little guy - as she put it. She was a forward thinking person who believed in the positive aspects of human nature. By living her life the way she did Joyce made the world a better place.
The family would like to thank a number of people who helped with Joyce's care in recent years. First, Joyce was able to live in her own home for the first 100 years of her life due, in part, to the many wonderful caregivers from 'Helping Hands" of Sidney, BC. Second, she also had the good fortune to have Dr. Laura Phillips as her family physician whose skill, compassion and respect Joyce fully appreciated. Finally, in the last year of her life, Joyce fell under the care of the nursing staff at Hart House in Oak Bay. They did their best, successfully, to make her feel comfortable and at home.
Joyce was a longtime contributor to "Our Place" of Victoria, a charity working with the homeless. Anyone wishing to may make a contribution in lieu of flowers.
Published by The Times Colonist from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3, 2024.
Memories and Condolences
for JOYCE IRVINE
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
2 Entries
Michelle Dewey
February 25, 2025
Condolences to her family.
Laura Van Leeuwen
December 22, 2024
She had a full and long life! She will be missed by her many friends in Victoria...
Never a dull moment with you!
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