We Remember
KLARENBEEK, KOZAK, PLAYDON, Helen “Joyce”
September 23, 1935 — October 23, 2019
Joyce was born in Edmonton, AB on September 23, 1935 and died peacefully in Kelowna, BC on October 23, 2019. She will be dearly and continuously missed by her son Wendell Bruce Kozak; daughter Dawna Marie (Barry) Bertoli; grandchildren: Deanna and Zenon Kozak; sisters: Carol (Gene) Longson, Susan (Ed) King; brothers: Ralph (Kathy) Playdon, David (Georgia) Playdon; as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. She is also survived by her deeply cherished step-children: Paul (June) Klarenbeek, Irma (Bill) Sutherland; her treasured step-grandchildren: Scott Sutherland, Sarah (Kerry) Johnston, David Sutherland, Danielle (Chris) Taylor, Jamie (Liz) Klarenbeek, Lindsey (Jeremy) Williams, and six step great grandchildren.
Predeceased by loving husbands: Zenon “Zig” Kozak and Gijsbertus “Bert” Klarenbeek, her son Randy Kozak and sister Wendy Moger.
Joyce adored Zig’s side of the family and kept in touch with them always.
Joyce loved children so when her three children were old enough to go to school, Joyce became a playschool teacher. She was wonderful at this job and parents and children alike loved her. Afterwards, she worked for the Royal Bank of Canada in both Edmonton, AB and Kelowna, BC. Her skills for accuracy, sharp mind, bubbly personality and conscientious attitude made her a very valued employee.
She loved her family, friends and animals unconditionally. Joyce will always be remembered for her twinkly brown eyes, sense of humor, positive attitude and her laugh. She loved being with people and was always willing to “pitch in” and “help out” with anything she could. Joyce had an aura of light and brightness. People loved being around her. Her laugh was contagious, her smile infectious – she will be truly missed by her family and all the people that had the pleasure of knowing her.
The family would like to thank Sherri and Donna from Interior Health for their guidance and Dr. Larry Bobyn for his constant care and “house calls.” The family would also like to thank all the staff at Sunpointe Village Baptist Housing. Joyce received excellent care through her many different, difficult journeys – “Thanks A Million.”
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Friday, November 8th at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.ca. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences.”
Service
Friday, November 8th at 1:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Canadian Diabetes Association Link: www.diabetes.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for KLARENBEEK, KOZAK, PLAYDON, Helen “Joyce” is scheduled for Friday, November 8th at 1:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Bruce and Dawna,
Your mom was one special, classy lady. She truly was loved by many. I have so many good memories of her from the day your dad brought her home in his yellow convertible.. She’ll be in our hearts forever. The good memories will help you get through this time .
Love you guys lots, big hugs going your way.
Love Joyce & Barry
I’m a distant relative on yurkowski side, sending my deepest sympathies from Ontario
Donna, Barrie, Wendall and families,
Deepest condolences from our the Henderson family, I have nothing but happy memories of times spent with Aunty Joyce, I will be baking some o’henry bars this Christmas in tribute to her !
Love Rhonda, Shawn , Cassie, Meg and Faith
Dear Bruce, Dawna and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. We have happy memories of our visits to the farm, all-night poker games and visits to Kelowna.
Joyce’s good humor and friendliness was always evident.
So sorry for your loss–it is a loss for all who knew her.
Dear Bruce, Dawna and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing
We have fond memories of our visits to the farm, all-night poker games, and visits to Kelowna.
Joyce’s good humour, and friendliness will never be forgotten.
Our sincere Sympathy,
Sylvia and Len Hanak
Paul and June and family, our condolences, thinking of you at this difficult time.
Dawna Wendell and families
My condolences are heart felt. Aunt Joyce and Uncle Zig we’re guiding lights for me in my youth, I expect this was felt by many people. Aunt Joyce thought me to imagine beyond the horizon and enjoy bitter chocolate and your dad shared his kindness. I am for however briefly, thankful aunt Joyce was in my life.
Sincerely Wayne
Dawna and family, I am truly sorry for such a huge loss. I totally enjoyed meeting your Mom many times over the years and will always remember her as vibrant, feisty and full of life! A true to joy to have the opportunity to meet.
Dear Dawna & Barry, Wendell and all of Joyce’s Family
My deepest condolences go out to you and my hope is for your recollection of good memories and peace in your hearts.
A few I recall…
Long held memories of family visits to the Kozak house on the north side of Edmonton during the 60s -Aunty Joyce’s sun filled home and gleaming floors, dancing in the basement with my cousins to Chubby Checker and Roger Miller, Aunty’s wall of wonder play school supplies, weekend pancakes with Uncle Zig’s much anticipated chocolate sauce (Thanks Uncle Zig lol), sitting under the kitchen table cuz it was fun, rolling in the huge pile of fibreglass insulation down the alley cuz it was fun, but not. And crying with my itching cousins in the tub afterward. Delivering flyers with my Aunty and cousins.
And years later, rolling down the gravel roads to the amazing Kozak farm just outside of Legal, AB. A whole new world of “Pigs on the Loose Sundays ” – often the day when there was a lot of family visiting. Everyone gleefully chasing piglets. Aunty’s innovative carrot washing – yup the washing machine. Mega carrots, out of the huge veg garden she tended.
The family of baby mice Dawna and I rescued (we were city kids) from the zillions outside and hid from Aunty in the stereo cabinet. Not cool. She was terrified of mice. Perogy making bees, and perogy eating contests. Stop the Bus, Crib, Risk and many other games, Pop Shoppe pop, the BEST poppyseed, orange, and lemon chiffon cakes in existence, pot roast and many hours at the kitchen table laughing and visiting and watching Aunty knit phentex slipper after phentex skipper. She was rarely idle. I’ll never forget her light and airy ‘angels in the room’ laugh.
This is long. The memories are massive and a big part of my life.
Aunty Joyce touched so many lives, giving us all memories that have left lasting impressions.
I remember you with love AJ. and know you’re at peace and surrounded by so many who love you.