Obituary of Joyce Walker

Walker-Joyce Elaine (Dawdy)

Of St. Thomas, passed away on Friday, April 3rd at the Elgin General Hospital at the age of 92 yrs. Joyce was born in Paynes Mills on March 31st, 1934 to the late Sherman and Dorothy (Manning) Dawdy, and was a loving sister to the late Joan (Dawdy) Annett and brothers Murray (June) and Donald (Cheryl) Dawdy.  Dear sister-in-law of the late Tony Annett. Ineffably cherished wife of the late John Samuel (Jack) Walker (July 19, 1990), and dearly loved mother of Lynn (Jim) MacPherson, Larry (Janice) Walker, Lana (David) Hagerty, Sandra (Jeff) Vachon and D. Nelson Walker (predeceased Nov.10th, 2024). Adored Grandmother to Jeff, Stacy, Chad, Kerri, Craig, Lindsay, Haley, Ryan, Alesha, Kyle, Mitch, Madison, and Ali, and the greatest of Great-Grandmothers to Selena, Abie, Makayla, Alexis, Gracie, Dallas, Olivia, Cole, Mackenna, Asia, Gus, Jaxx, Emma, Jace, Rowan, Carter, Ellie, Cooper, Weston, Sam, Camryn and Blake.

The extended family members of "The Soup Day Bunch" will greatly miss her. 

Joyce worked as an operator at Bell Telephone, Hartz Mountain, and Clevite, retiring in 1994 after 25 years of service as an HCA at The Elgin Manor. She grew up in Paynes Mills, lived most of her life in Frome and moved to Axford Parkway in St. Thomas after retirement. The family sends out a special thank you to Kim White for being a wonderful neighbour.

Special thanks to the staff on the second and fourth floors of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital for their compassionate care.

"We're a lucky bunch," and at this time of Mom's passing, we find ourselves eternally grateful for the blessing of her unwavering, steadfast devotion to us all. She lived her entire life striving for the kind of fame found only within a family, and in this she was successful beyond her wildest dreams. The sweet, resounding laughter of "Grandma Hee Hee" will ring in our hearts always. We could say of her what she once said of her own Grandma Manning: "You always knew how much she loved you," and there is peace to be found in knowing that she was well aware of how truly that door swung both ways.

A private family funeral will be held at The McFarlane Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth, followed by interment at McArthur's Cemetery in Southwold.

A Public Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, from 2-5pm at The Clearing, 34855 Fifth Line, Shedden, with words of remembrance at 3:30 pm. Casual dress.

Donations can be made to The Elgin General Hospital https://www.steghfoundation.ca/ways-to-support, Barrie Family Hospice,https://elginhospice.com/giving/ or a charity of your choice. McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home 2240 Wharncliffe Rd S Lambeth entrusted with the arrangements. 519-652-2020