We Remember

OXENHAM, Joycelyn (Joy) Pearl

Joy was born on March 27, 1932. She died July 4, 2017. She was predeceased by her parents Ernie & Mildred Oxenham and nephew Jordan Unrau. Joy will be sadly missed by her brother Bernie (Lynn) Oxenham and sister Shirley (Pete) Unrau. She was deeply loved by her 7 nieces and nephews and 19 great nieces and nephews. These were her kids too!
At the age of 11 Joy received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. She was now God’s Child. He would be her Best Friend, Comforter and Strength all her life.
In 1951 the family moved from Nakusp to Kelowna. Soon after Joy attended Briercrest Bible Institute in Saskatchewan, graduating in 1954.
In 1959 Joy sailed to India as a missionary under Child Evangelism. She contracted a tropical disease there. After many treatments, she was forced to leave the country as a cure wasn’t possible. She had only been in India 2 years.
She worked 12 years with C.E.F. in B.C. Poor health ended her time with C.E.F.
Joy then turned her attention to getting her piano degree. With degree in hand she started teaching piano to an ever increasing amount of kids and adults. She soon was teaching as many as 75 students in one week. She taught piano lessons for 29 years until retirement.
Church work was a big part of Joy’s life. She taught Sunday School, Children’s Church, played the piano or the organ. She also sang in the choir, worship team and was the church secretary. Joy was a multitalented servant of God.
After the passing of her father in 1987, she and her mother became very close companions, living together for almost 20 years. They did many things together. Eventually Joy became her mother’s caregiver until her death at 95 in 2007.
In 2009 Joy moved into Sandalwood Retirement Resort and enjoyed the wonderful friendship with many there. Joy had many hobbies throughout her lifetime including sewing, making teddy bears, knitting, photography, china painting, ceramics, making her own greeting cards with dried flowers, reading, gardening, canning, entertaining and travelling.
Joy loved her family well; making and knitting clothes for them; giving money gifts of love. She had a great ministry of prayer and care for her beloved family and friends. How beautifully she blessed all with her loving giving heart.
In 2012 Joy came down with Nonalcoholic Sclerosis of the Liver. The many difficult side effects left her weak, weary, and in and out of the Hospital and finally to Hospice House. She travelled this traumatic journey for over five years with grace and trust In God. Today she is enjoying her final home in Heaven with Jesus whom she loved and served.
You will be greatly missed, dear Joy.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 7th at 4:30 pm at Providence Baptist Church, 2210 Stillingfleet Road, Kelowna, BC. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or to share a memory, please scroll down this page to the area called “share your condolences.”

Service
Friday, July 7th at 4:30 pm

Location
Providence Baptist Church

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