Obituary of Joyce Myrtle Lawrie
Joyce Myrtle (Yule) Lawrie was the eldest child of three girls born to John Alistair Yule and Phyllis Marion (Cassin). Joyce was born on March 9th, 1930 in St. Therese Hospital, Tisdale, SK. She grew up on a farm in the Hanover District and attended school there, and completed her high school in Tisdale, SK. She worked in the post office during that time as she had to pay for boarding in town. She would ride the train with her sisters to Lurgan for the weekends until she graduated in 1948.
When growing up on the farm in the 30's it included hard work. There was gardening to do, meals to prepare, cattle, horses, and other livestock to care for, wood and coal to bring into the house, as well as water to haul....all without the modern conveniences that we take for granted. Joyce was an amazing seamstress, as she had taken some tailoring classes. She was also a great cook and an avid reader - she had many talents.
During WW2, while her father was serving overseas (1941-1945), her uncle, David Yule would make sure the girls got to Hanover school, which was about 4 miles away. He would take them by horse and buggy, or in later years by automobile. Uncle Dave was like a grandfather to them.
Joyce trained at Holy Family School of Nursing in Prince Albert, SK and became a Registered Nurse in September of 1951. She worked at the Sanatorium in Prince Albert, SK and the rest of her Nursing career at Shellbrook Hospital until her retirement in 1992. Joyce enjoyed her nursing career. She was a dedicated, hard working, and well respected professional, straightforward and direct in her conversations. Joyce returned to work after taking time off to raise her family, this required time and dedication to recertify to become a practicing Registered Nurse. She also acted as the Director of Nurses in Shellbrook Hospital as well as a member on the Health Board.
On October 3, 1952 Joyce married James (Jim) William Lawrie at the St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Prince Albert, SK. Joyce and Jim lived on a farm in Wild Rose District where they raised their children Forrest, Janice, George and Kathy. There were always many happy visits and lots of laughter when the sisters and spouses got together or returned for holiday meals .
Joyce and Jim traveled to Germany, Scotland, England, and within Canada. Joyce also traveled to Mexico and the United States. In 1985 Joyce, Jim, Cathie, and Glen Bone traveled to Scotland and England to visit with their many first cousins and aunts. They were thrilled to have many great visits with the Yule relatives, visiting the homes and villages where their father and grandfather had grown up and worked.
One day on this trip while in London the men has gone to visit some museums while the women had gone to do some shopping - they were to meet up later at the White Swan Pub. Apparently there were two pubs of that name. Joyce and mom (Cathie Bone) went to a less than desirable establishment in a not so great area. The patrons and management were quick to give them directions to the correct place. Remember, this was before cell phones. There was many laughs over this misadventure, as well as driving in the United Kingdom on the " wrong " side of the road, with roundabouts and numerous one way streets!!
Joyce had a great memory and I (Allison) enjoyed our telephone conversations. She answered many family history questions that I had and inevitably we would discuss some Nursing topics. I will miss those phone calls!
In recent years due to a decline in health Joyce moved into Kopera Assisted Living. She was transferred to Shellbrook Hospital a few months before she passed - she felt like she was " returning home".
Joyce passed away on July 26, 2023 at the Shellbrook Nursing Home.
Joyce is predeceased by her parents, John and Phyllis Yule; her husband, James Lawrie; parents-in-law, George and Georgia Lawrie; sisters and brother-in-law, Cathie and Glen Bone, Elizabeth and Arne Bergh; children, Forrest Lawrie and Kathy Lawrie; and daughter-in-law Diane.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Janice Lawrie; son, George Lawrie; as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Joyce on Saturday August 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Wild Rose Cemetery, with Pastor Claude Tucker officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Wild Rose Public School.
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.
