ISOBEL JOYCE LAIDLER

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ISOBEL JOYCE LAIDLER

(nee BURTON)

January 25, 1933 – May 28, 2025

Peacefully on May 28, 2025, Joyce Laidler (Gramma Joyce) passed away at Concordia Hospital.

She is survived by her son Robert (Dianne), daughter Barbara Sokalski (Robert) and her grandchildren, Stephanie (Andrew) (their children, Alex, Sydney and Luke), Robert (Ashley) (their children, Emma and Piper). She was predeceased by her husbands, Len and Dave Proctor and her parents, Lionel and Isabel.

Joyce was born on a bitterly cold Robbie Burns Day in Winnipeg where she lived all of her life. She enjoyed her school years and that is where she met her husband Len. They welcomed their first born, Bob, on Len's 20th birthday. The birth of their daughter, Barb, followed four years later.

Joyce was ahead of her time as she worked full-time for Fleming Pedlar Coldstream Ltd. while raising their family. It was a job she started as local summertime employment and rose to be Head of the Engineering Department by her retirement.

Joyce believed in pulling one's weight in the community (a trait learned from her parents). In grade school during the Second World War, she made Bundles for Britain (diapers and knitted squares) and she was quite proud of amassing the biggest ball of tinfoil (to thwart enemy radar). As a teenager she made sandwiches for the dike crews of the great flood of 1950.

As a young wife, she taught Sunday School at Riverview United Church and volunteered at Riverview Community Club, among other organizations. She later served on many Boards, including Riverview Health Centre and MacDonald Youth.

Joyce and Len bought a house near her parents and they split their summers between adventures on the road in their RV and the more familiar fun down at Victoria Beach, including blueberry picking, bike rides and happy hours on the white sands, getting a sun tan and frolicking in the waves.

After Len's tragic passing at the age of 40, Joyce met Dave and they too split their time between "the property" and joyful summers at Victoria Beach with their extended family and friends.

Having designed and supervised the building of a winterized cottage, a new family tradition began. Joyce hosted many family and friend gatherings, including Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Upon Dave's passing, Joyce moved to her current house (where legendary Bomber Coach Bud Grant had lived) closer to her family. She and her beloved cat Cinnamon (Cindy) enjoyed many a happy visit with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As she was no longer able to go to Victoria Beach, she loved to hear about all the goings on there and all were happy to share their stories.

Joyce had a sharp wit and a keen intellect til the end.

Cremation has taken place. Information about a Celebration of Life will follow some time this summer.

In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in memory of Joyce may be made to a charity of one's choice.

"It's Hummingbird Hour!" GJ

E.J. Coutu Co Funeral Directors

680 Archibald Street, 204-253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2025