Obituary of Joyce Moore Rennie

RENNIE, Joyce Moore

(née Russell)

November 28, 1919 - December 12, 2019

Joyce was born on the family farm located in the Nealdale District near Leroy, Saskatchewan. She was the fourth of ten children born to Ben and Lillian Russell, and lived a full and rich 100 years, touching the hearts of all who crossed her path. Joyce was predeceased by her parents, along with siblings Elizabeth, Bertha, Andrew, Muriel, Arthur, David, Gilbert, George and ex-husband of 37 years Jack Rennie. She is survived by her sister Louise; children, Elaine (Terry) Venables, Doug (Jane), Bill (MaryEllen), Margaret (Tig) Cummings, and Cameron (Sheila); nine grandchildren, Renee (Tyler), Luke (Connie), Sarah, Trisha (Tyler), Derek (Cassandra), Adrian (Alyssa), Katelyn (Jared), Megan (Jonathan), and Benjamin; and three great-grandchildren, Hudson, Abby, and Lillian. Joyce’s love of learning was evident at an early age, from her schooling at Viscount High School through to her training as a hospital assistant at North Battleford Mental Hospital. She worked at the Ottawa Air Force Station and then joined the RCAF WD serving for 39 months as a nursing assistant. Joyce continued with nursing opportunities at the T.B. clinic in Saskatoon and additional academics at the University of Sask. in Saskatoon where she met Jack Rennie. They married in 1947 and together raised five active children in Regina before divorcing in 1985. The learning never stopped for Mom as she found herself back at university in 1967, resulting in a Teaching Certificate and employment as a teacher of adult upgrading. Mom was always interested in sewing, gardening, playing bridge and whist. She loved her computer, playing endless games of scrabble and connecting online with family and friends. Mom had a keen eye for design and a strong appreciation for the arts and music. Her sense of building community was strong as evidenced in her numerous volunteer commitments, with a desire to make a difference for others and explore “what was possible”. The family would like to thank Dr. David Millar C.D. and Dr. Julie Zepp N.D. for their services over the many years, Dr. Kaban for successful cancer surgery in 2013, home care worker Susan Herperger, and the staff and volunteers at Wascana Rehab Veterans Unit. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Interment at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Field of Honour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Creative Kids, 404-2125 11^th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X3 or The Salvation Army Haven of Hope, 2240 13^th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3M7.