Obituary of Joyce Lorraine Schmidt
Joyce Lorraine Schmidt (nee Scott), late of Regina, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2022 at the age of 90 years. Predeceased by her parents Rosie and Gordon Scott, brother Arnold Scott and sister Eunice Scott and granddaughter Emily Matthewson. Joyce is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Paul. She will be dearly missed by daughters Lorie (Bruce) Matthewson, Darlene (James) Hillis and Rosanne (John) Goetz; grandchildren, Leah (Tommy) Weidler, Samuel, Benjamin, Gabrielle and Zachary Hillis, Virginia, Madeleine and Thomas Goetz; great grandchildren Ava and Halle Weidler and sister-in-law Caroline Scott.
Joyce was born in Moffat, Saskatchewan on June 28, 1931 and grew up on the family farm. Her family moved to Lumby, BC in 1944 for two years and this is where she developed her love for gardening. In her late teens, Joyce moved to Regina to live with her grandmother and aunts. She first worked at Simpsons and then moved on to work at the Department of Highways. She loved city life and enjoyed socializing and making friends that she continued to stay in touch with over the years. It was through mutual friends that she met Paul at a party. They wed in October of 1959 on a blizzardly cold and memorable day. They bought their first home on Lacon St. while working and saving to purchase their first farm home in 1959. They moved into the family home on Angus Street in 1960 where they would remain until 2018. In 1964, Mom and Dad purchased a Regina house which they moved from the city to the homestead near Milestone. Summer months were spent farming until 1996. Mom drove many miles going back and forth from the farm to Regina throughout the years so her daughters could attend school in Regina. Mom was always busy cooking, canning, cleaning, delivering meals to the field while maintaining two homes. She loved time in her garden! She grew amazing produce to last throughout the year: those who were lucky to share in the bounty can still taste her raspberries. Her pride and joy were her variety of beautiful flowers that she gifted to others.
Mom and Dad started spending winters in Westlaco, Texas in 1979 where they became active in the Trails End Trailer Park community. They attended countless dances, shuffleboard and dart tournaments, and happy hours. Socializing kept Mom smiling. She always rose to the occasion remembering everyone by name and asking about their families and lives. Mom and Dad also travelled to many warm destinations with their close group of friends. In Regina, they had a busy social life with many coffee dates, routine dinners and happy hours and in latter years “Schmidt coffees”. Joyce had a love for all sports in particular softball and curling. She was an avid curler and as a skip won many bonspiels. She showed her love of sport by supporting and cheering for all her grandchildren and was a familiar face in the stands in Regina and Calgary. In 2018 Mom and Dad moved into Marian Chateau. Joyce was determined to make the best of her new home where she would continue to socialize with the staff and residents making many new friends. Our family is indebted for the friendship, care and support Mom received there. We are grateful for Mom’s determination throughout many challenging times, and her commitment to family, friends and all who were good to her over the years. She will remain in our hearts forever.
A Celebration of Joyce’s Life will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Ave, Regina, SK, on Friday May 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the Speers Family Centre.
Flowers gratefully declined. Family and friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation. www.hrf.sk.ca.
