SCHULTZ, Joyce Corrinne (née Wilcox)

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce Corinne (née Wilcox) Schultz, age 95, who left us to be with her Lord and Saviour on December 22, 2021.

Joyce leaves behind her brother Grant Wilcox (Josie); sons Peter Cherrett (Marcia) & Gilbert Cherrett (Freda) and daughter Susan Nelson (Rick); 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; her dear cousin Rhoda Vold, who was like a sister; 4 more daughters-in-law: Roberta, Elaine, Lucy, & Donna; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and caregivers. She was predeceased by her father Tom Wilcox (d. 1988); grandson Kyle Cherrett (d. 1989); second husband Douglas Dyer (d. 1997); Mother Corinne Wilcox (d. 1998); first husband Edward Cherrett (d. 2008); third husband Brenton Schultz (d. 2010); great-grandson Miles Airth (d. 2013); and her son Thomas Cherrett (d. 2019).

Joyce was born on the farm in Bashaw, Alberta on December 31, 1925, to parents Thomas and Corinne “Connie” Wilcox. Tom’s father was one of the first settlers in the area in 1893. Tom met Joyce’s mother Connie while working in Montreal, QC. After marrying, Tom moved this city girl to Bashaw where they worked the family farm until 1941. Joyce loved the farm. She would help her father outdoors: milk the cows, care for the horses, tend the garden with her mother, and helping feed the hired hands. Joyce enjoyed the wonderful community life with relatives and neighbours. She would share her many stories of walking through the snow two and a half miles to school, warming her bare feet in the fresh cow manure, playing baseball, skating on Mud Lake, swimming in Buffalo lake, and playing in the hay loft. Oh, the joy it brought to her memory. Bashaw was always “Home.” When Joyce was 15 her father sold the farm, and they moved to Montreal as promised to her mother Connie, who wanted to be close to her elderly mother. Joyce was one of two girls in her classroom, the rest boys, and she was not happy. Although she attended an English school, the struggle of her not being able to speak French was difficult; it led Joyce to move on from school and on to her first job at Sun Life.

Joyce met her first husband, Edward Cherrett, and she started her family of three boys and a girl. Her parents bought a farm in Huntingdon, QC, and many happy weekends were spent there with her children. In 1964, her marriage ended, and she loaded her 4 children on a train headed out west to join her parents, who had moved westward two years prior. Joyce worked in housekeeping at Victoria General Hospital and soon met her second husband, Doug Dyer. Her son, Peter, joined the navy, and the rest of the family relocated to Powell River, BC. Her parents joined in 1980. Joyce, being a people person, worked at the Woolworth’s lunch counter, followed by a hair salon, and volunteered for many years at the hospital auxiliary. She was a caregiver to many and took two girls into her home. Her children’s friends would continue to visit even after her own children had moved away. Joyce’s home was a place where everyone felt welcome and cared for. Joyce and Doug had 32 wonderful years together until his sudden passing. Two years later, Joyce moved to West Kelowna, BC. She quickly settled into her new life and community, making friends, attending church, volunteering in the church nursery, and hosting a bible study in her home. She was loved by many and always had a warm hug waiting for them. She never wavered, never complained or felt sorry for herself, she just looked ahead and always felt blessed, even though her eyesight was failing her.

Several years later, Joyce was reacquainted with a childhood sweetheart from Bashaw, Brenton Schultz; they married in 2004. Joyce and Brent moved to Camrose, AB, and she said it was “like coming home!”. She connected with “kids from school”, people she grew up with who still lived in the Bashaw area. She was happy and Brent became her “seeing eye man” as Joyce lost her eyesight completely. They moved back to the Okanagan and lived in Lake Country, BC. Brent passed away suddenly in 2010, but Joyce remained in their home for almost a year before moving to Lake Country Manor. In 2015, she moved back to West Kelowna and resided at The Heritage until she moved to care at Village at Smith Creek in 2018. Joyce was grateful for everything in her life, and she loved her family immensely. She loved BIG and so unconditionally. She loved everyone she met and always had the biggest hug waiting. Always joyful; a reflection of her name.

Focused Defender,
Protector in troubled times,
Comforter, Role Model of Empathy,
Physically strong, Sharp,
Focused, Unwavering, Loyal.
Hard decisions never deterred her, as
she would rise to any challenge.
A Role model for her offspring!

She would lay with her Little Ones ’til sleep came; she would sing and comfort always.
Oh how she loved to sing, dance, laugh & hug!
She was never discouraged, nor did she hesitate to bring correction when needed.
She was selfless in her life’s work: caring for others!
“Empathy and Compassion” – Alive and well in her flock today!

“Well done My faithful servant, you are truly worthy to be honoured and remembered.”

Our memories will carry us until we meet again.
Love you forever Mom, Granny, “Joy”ce.

We would like to acknowledge the amazing care Joyce received at Village at Smith Creek. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Administration; Care Aides; Nurses; OT and Physio; Social Worker; Chaplain; Recreation; Dietary; Housekeeping; and so many support staff who all made Joyce feel loved, cared for, and at home. The support given to our family, especially in her final days, was so loving. Thank you to an amazing Team.

We would also like to thank Dr. Kevin Oswald, Dr. Richard Blakemore & Dr. Grace Lenton.

Thank you to Springfield Funeral Home for your after care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon.

A Family Graveside Service will be held in Bashaw, Alberta at a later date.

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