ROBERTSON, Joyce Claire

(1936-2015) – Joyce Robertson passed away at Sault Area Hospital on September 24, 2015. Joyce was predeceased this year by her beloved husband, Irvin Lawrence Robertson (1927-2015). Her memory will be forever cherished by her surviving family, children Marianne (Bryan), Mark (Karen), and Elizabeth (Phillip), and most especially by Joyce’s seven grandchildren whom she held dear – Claire, Thomas, David, Sarah, Erik, Jennifer, and Katherine. Joyce was a much-loved sister-in-law of Norma and Fenn Hankinson, also of the Sault, and aunt of Janice, Alison, Robert (deceased), Steven, Susan (deceased), David, and Jonathan. Joyce was born January 15, 1936 in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ontario, the daughter of parents Aili and Einare Kiiskila and younger sister of the late Dorothy Petrick. Joyce was very proud of her Finnish heritage and leaves many Kiiskila and Tolmonen relatives and friends in the Thunder Bay area. She also leaves her grade one “pals” and life- long friends Ann and Bev. Joyce led a fulfilling life where her commitment to her faith and family was at its epicenter. Joyce was an elementary teacher in each of the towns where she and Lawrence lived throughout their married lives – Thunder Bay, Wawa, Parry Sound and Sault Ste. Marie and served an extended term on the Ontario Status of Women Council in the 1970’s. Although Joyce was afflicted for many years with increasingly debilitating parkinson’s and arthritis, she dealt with its often intense discomfort bravely and without compromise. Joyce was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Cathedral, the Anglican Church Women, Altar Guild and other church groups to which she gave generously of her time and spirit. She and Lawrence enjoyed many wonderful friendships throughout their lives in the Sault and will be dearly missed by their church family and travel and dinner companions. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service to be held at St. Luke’s Cathedral on Monday, September 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The Very Reverend James McShane officiating. Private interment St. Luke’s Columbarium. Memorial contributions to Parkinson Society of Canada, St. Luke’s Cathedral or charity of choice would be appreciated. The family express their sincere thanks to the many devoted people that made Joyce’s life easier in recent months, including the staff at Collegiate Heights, Mapleview, and the Sault Area Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.