JOYCE LAVINA KELPIN (OLSONBERG)

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JOYCE LAVINA KELPIN
(nee OLSONBERG)

On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Joyce Lavina Kelpin (nee Olsonberg) passed away at the age of 96 in the place that she loved, West Vancouver. Her three sons Kevin, Bryce and Craig were by her side for her final hours.
Joyce was pre-deceased by Kenneth, her husband of 37 years, her mother Adelia Olsonberg, her father Sigurd Olsonberg and her brother Elwood. She is survived by her sister Carol, and Carol's husband Dick, who reside in Alberta.
Joyce grew up on a beautiful little farm in Killam, Alberta. She attended a one room schoolhouse and eventually moved to Edmonton to work as a pharmacy assistant. After she married Ken, they made several moves across Canada. They spent a great deal of time in Winnipeg, with summers at Lake of the Woods in Ontario, and trips to Stony Mountain to spend time with relatives. Having lived on the North Shore of Vancouver soon after being married, Joyce always wanted to get back. Happily, she spent the last almost 50 years of her life, living in this place that she loved.
Joyce cherished family and the connections to the past and the future. She was that special kind of mom. She was the keeper of all things family history and was the glue that made sure everyone stayed in touch. Joyce was tremendously proud and supportive of her three sons and their families; Kevin / Gail (Hannah, Eva), Bryce / Morag (Callum, Kalayna, Tavish), and Craig (Taryn, Liam).
Joyce was well known for her friendly smile, her generous spirit, and her outgoing personality. She was always the life of the party and loved to laugh. She was involved with many organizations over the years. The Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs of Winnipeg (along with Ken). Treasurer of the St. Vital Dolphins swim team. Cub Scout pack leader extraordinaire. Supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Symphony Orchestras of Winnipeg and Vancouver. Her advanced Power Squadron navigation skills always got the family home from day tripping on the Red River or charting the waters of Lake of The Woods.
She worked for 30 years with the Royal Bank and crossed paths with many West Vancouver residents, whom she always knew by name. We would often find ourselves in a separate line of people "waiting to see Joyce" for their banking needs. After retiring from the Royal Bank, she spent several years working in a medical clinic. Her work brought her in contact with so many West Vancouverites that it was not uncommon for people to say, "Hey, I know you!" while standing in line at Murchies, wandering the stores at Park Royal, or eating at the Beach House (Peppi's).
She loved her China and glassware collections and the finer details of a good dinner party. She hosted so many wonderful evenings of good food and good company. Every holiday would find the family together around a magnificent feast. These were the times that Joyce lived for.
A prolific cursive letter writer, Joyce would always send updates and family photos to friends and relatives around the world. There was never a birthday or Christmas card sent without a few handwritten pages enclosed. Her cursive penmanship was absolutely beautiful. She connected with her Scandinavian relatives and travelled back to Norway and Sweden to collaborate on a genealogy tree dating back to the 1100's.
We're going to miss Mom, and all the times we shared with her. Supportive chats, a cup of tea, 5 a.m. swim team practices, late nights with Johnny Carson, dinner parties, visits with grandchildren, and a myriad of special occasions. She was up to help you start a tough day and wouldn't go to bed until everyone was home safe. She was the quintessential Mom.
Joyce will be laid to rest, alongside her relatives, in the family cemetery in Killam, Alberta. The cemetery is beside the farm where she was born into a fulfilling, extraordinary life, so long ago. Immediate family will attend. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a cause you're passionate about would be welcomed. In addition, if you can, make a call to your mother. Joyce would have wanted you to do that!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2022