Obituary of Joyce Myfanwy Rivers

Joyce Rivers
Regina, Saskatchewan

Together the Rivers family is saddened by the loss of our mom and grandma, Joyce, who was a member of First Presbyterian Church for many years. She was born and raised in the north end of Winnipeg. Being the youngest of 7, Joyce was spoiled in the sense she received more attention and privileges than her older siblings. She spent many years studying ballet and other dance forms until an injury in her early teens, something she would often reminisce about. In Winnipeg, mom met and then married Bill Rivers in 1951. Shortly afterwards they moved to Regina where they had 3 children, Joanne, Barbara and David.

Joyce was a good mother! Her love, kindness and nurturance shaped us, reflecting her Christian faith. She was a dedicated, caring, loving, attention to detail (that means she never missed a thing), mom who let us know her exact thoughts, whether we liked it or not.  All three of us are grateful for the virtues she taught us by giving us the grounding for life of faith in God and to follow through by treating others as we would want to be treated, to be honest in life, work hard and always try our best.

Mom loved our dad, Bill. This was another grounding factor in our young lives. The day she met him, Bill had come to her office in Winnipeg as a salesman for 3M. Joyce went home and told her parents she had met the man she would marry. After a few more so called “sales” visits to her office and sneaky kisses among the filing cabinets, she did marry him. They were happy, we could see this. Sadly, dad died, far too young, and mom missed him dearly the rest of her life.

Joyce loved her family!  And tea! The milk had to go in first!  Many times, we tried to trick her by putting the tea in the cup first, but we always got caught. Joyce purchased a cabin, sight unseen, at Jackfish Lake where many happy family and friend memories were made. There was always lots of tea! Sometimes a gin and tonic was enjoyed with Hawkins cheezies while watching a sunset at the lake. Mom was quite musical and had a beautiful voice. She sang in the choir at St Johns in Winnipeg and then here at First Presbyterian Church. Both before, and then after having her children. She enjoyed hand craft like needle point, knitting, crocheting, lots of bridge nights, card games, board games with family, always accompanied with tea and a few of those Hawkins cheezies. As well, mom was an avid sports fan. Rarely would there be a time one would pop in to visit and TSN wasn’t on. She was as GREEN a Rider fan as one can be. David and mom went to games faithfully together from 1974 on. She passed down the season tickets she had for 50 years to family. She loved talking to grandkids about their sports or recent games, always closing with the advice ‘’just don’t get hurt’’.

Friendliness, a smile, love, unwavering virtues and wit were some of the many qualities mom was known for. She is missed and will be fondly remembered by her children and their families: Joanne (Daryle), Meaghan, (Nick), Emily and Alexander; David (Ali), Tommy and Theo; Barbara (Fred); Sarah (Bill), Simeon, Marijke; Sam (Rebecca), Novena, Hugh, Pius, Elizabeth and Zelie; Caitlin (Sam), Lucy and Oliver; Joel (Rebecca), Daniel; David (Monica) William and Matthew.

PS advice from mom; only drink Red Rose, Orange Pekoe. And the milk goes in first.