Obituary for Joyce Elizabeth Nickerson
Obituary for Joyce Elizabeth Nickerson
February 5, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Joyce Elizabeth Nickerson (nee McGray) who has gone to be with her Lord. Joyce passed away on her 103rd birthday at her home at the Villa St Joseph du Lac surrounded by love from family and caregivers.
Born Joyce Elizabeth McGray she is predeceased by her husband, and love of her life for 63 years, Lloyd Howard Nickerson, her parents Wilbert McGray and Nellie Grant (Rose) McGray and siblings Elmore McGray, Marie (Lindsay) Graves, Evelyn (William) Moore, Constance (Lloyd, Carl) Windrow Bain, and Frederick (Giselle) McGray.
A talented musician, Joyce lived a life of service to her Church and community, serving as organist of Faith Memorial Church for many years. She loved to host her church family for musical evening, always accompanied by lots of good food. Joyce was also a wonderful author and poet, documenting family events and her daily life.
She was a bookkeeper her entire adult life, and well into her older years, using her skills to support many organizations and events including the 50 Plus Seniors group in Pembroke and the Women’s Missionary Society of Faith Memorial and of Atlantic Canada.
Joyce began her career during World War II in Argentia Newfoundland supporting the American Military there, then at the YWCA in Halifax until the end of the War when she returned home to Yarmouth County, married the love of her life, Lloyd, and raised her three daughters. After her children were born, she went to work the at Yarmouth Hospital, retiring from there she promptly went to work for the Pembroke Lobster Coop and retired once again in her 70th year.
Joyce was a wonderful, loving grandmother, she made life fun. An afternoon or evening playing cards or Scrabble was always an enjoyable event. In her later years Joyce discovered a talent for art and has left a legacy of paintings that depict her home County of Yarmouth as well as her travels with our father. She loved to travel and visit with her extended family across Canada, once again leaving many beloved nieces and nephews and fond memories.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Edward) Watkins, Rebecca (Rhys) Williams, Faith (Hartmut) Stoll as well as 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Villa St Joseph du Lac for their exceptional kindness and care of our mother, beyond words to express.
We say goodbye with love in our hearts and gratitude for our many years together and a life well lived.
Be Still My Soul…
Nancy, Rebecca, Faith and their Families
A funeral will be held at Sweeny’s Funeral Home on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 3 P.M. Visitation will be held the evening prior from 7-9 P.M. in Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel. Donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to Faith Memorial United Baptist Church r the Villa St Joseph du Lac. Online condolences may be made at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net
February 5, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Joyce Elizabeth Nickerson (nee McGray) who has gone to be with her Lord. Joyce passed away on her 103rd birthday at her home at the Villa St Joseph du Lac surrounded by love from family and caregivers.
Born Joyce Elizabeth McGray she is predeceased by her husband, and love of her life for 63 years, Lloyd Howard Nickerson, her parents Wilbert McGray and Nellie Grant (Rose) McGray and siblings Elmore McGray, Marie (Lindsay) Graves, Evelyn (William) Moore, Constance (Lloyd, Carl) Windrow Bain, and Frederick (Giselle) McGray.
A talented musician, Joyce lived a life of service to her Church and community, serving as organist of Faith Memorial Church for many years. She loved to host her church family for musical evening, always accompanied by lots of good food. Joyce was also a wonderful author and poet, documenting family events and her daily life.
She was a bookkeeper her entire adult life, and well into her older years, using her skills to support many organizations and events including the 50 Plus Seniors group in Pembroke and the Women’s Missionary Society of Faith Memorial and of Atlantic Canada.
Joyce began her career during World War II in Argentia Newfoundland supporting the American Military there, then at the YWCA in Halifax until the end of the War when she returned home to Yarmouth County, married the love of her life, Lloyd, and raised her three daughters. After her children were born, she went to work the at Yarmouth Hospital, retiring from there she promptly went to work for the Pembroke Lobster Coop and retired once again in her 70th year.
Joyce was a wonderful, loving grandmother, she made life fun. An afternoon or evening playing cards or Scrabble was always an enjoyable event. In her later years Joyce discovered a talent for art and has left a legacy of paintings that depict her home County of Yarmouth as well as her travels with our father. She loved to travel and visit with her extended family across Canada, once again leaving many beloved nieces and nephews and fond memories.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Edward) Watkins, Rebecca (Rhys) Williams, Faith (Hartmut) Stoll as well as 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Villa St Joseph du Lac for their exceptional kindness and care of our mother, beyond words to express.
We say goodbye with love in our hearts and gratitude for our many years together and a life well lived.
Be Still My Soul…
Nancy, Rebecca, Faith and their Families
A funeral will be held at Sweeny’s Funeral Home on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 3 P.M. Visitation will be held the evening prior from 7-9 P.M. in Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel. Donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to Faith Memorial United Baptist Church r the Villa St Joseph du Lac. Online condolences may be made at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net