Obituary of Joyce Beatrice Cowan

JOYCE BEATRICE COWAN Joyce faced death as she lived life - with grit, determination, and a strong conviction that a better life was on the horizon. After spending several weeks at the Regina General Hospital, Joyce was transferred briefly to Parkside Extendicare and then to the palliative care unit at the Pasqua Hospital, where Dr. Johnson and compassionate staff ensured she had a painless and peaceful passing on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Her family was by her side until the end. Joyce leaves behind Ian, her soulmate and husband of 68 years, daughter Pam, son Tim (Suzanne), grandchildren, Trina (Kyle), Shauna, and Wilson, great-grandchildren Hanna and Nolan, sister Shirley Burtnick, brother Les (Val) Betker and sisters-in-law, Olga Betker and Joan Betker. She was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Elizabeth Betker, ten brothers and sisters and son-in-law Bill Busby. Over the past month, as lung cancer took its toll, Joyce was cared for by many exceptional nurses and doctors at the General and Pasqua hospitals. Visits from Pastor Cory Steinson and Chaplain Angela Fraser brought her much comfort as did support and visits from dear family and friends. Special thanks to family physician Dr. Ndeke for her care and attention to Joyce and Ian over the years. Joyce's family was always her first priority and she gave them her undivided attention and unconditional love - not to mention numerous care parcels of food. Excelling at cooking and baking, she generously shared the fruits of her labour with family, friends and strangers. Those who had nowhere to go for Christmas, or other special celebrations, were warmly welcomed to join the family and feast at her beautifully appointed table. In keeping with Joyce's passion for feeding the masses, and in light of her compassion for those alone and struggling, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to either the Regina Food Bank or Living Skies Spiritual Care Inc. (www.livingskies.care). A Celebration of Joyce's Life will be held at Heritage Alliance Church, 3575 Hillsdale Street, Regina, SK on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com