JOYCE EILEEN NAPIER (COATS)

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JOYCE EILEEN NAPIER (nee COATS) May 5, 1937 - March 16, 2017 Peacefully on Thursday March 16, 2017 after a short but dignified battle with cancer our mother Joyce passed away at the Riverview Health Centre, she was 79 years old. Mom, Grandma, Auntie, and GG (Great Grandma) is survived by three generations of family who loved her dearly and will mourn her passing greatly. They include her son Bill (Shelley); daughter Marnie Watson (Jake); grandson Brett (Kristin); granddaughter Leanne (Matt); great-grandson Liam; brother Bill Coats; sister-in-law Doris Amanovich; nephews, Allan Coats (Joanne) and Craig Fenton; nieces, Kathy, Kelly and Kris Kolochen and KC Weidemann (Walter). Joyce was predeceased by her husband Cyril in 1997, parents Allan and Kathleen Coats; sister and brother-in-law Ethel and Mike Kolochen; sister-in-law Carol Coats; brother-in-law Jim Fenton and brother-in-law Eli Amanovich; niece Valerie Fenton and nephew Kenny Kolochen. Joyce was born and raised in Winnipeg; she married Cy in 1959 and lived their entire married life in North Kildonan. She spent summers with her family camping at Blue Lake, Ontario and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Many happy memories were created during these times and Bill and Marnie enjoyed their childhood vacations immensely. Joyce's children and grandchildren were the joy of her life and she took great pride in all of them. Her love was further multiplied when "the light of her life" Liam arrived in October 2015. Her first great-grandchild provided her with immense happiness. Joyce was employed at EH Price during her children's younger years and she left there in 1976 to begin a career with Manitoba Government Services. She retired in 2000 and devoted more time to family and the hobbies she enjoyed. She loved ceramics and was extremely talented, often winning first prize for her work. She loved to sew, knit and bake and her family was the recipients of the final products. She was an ardent supporter of the Heather-Belle Ladies Pipe Band attending many of their competitions, accompanying them to Scotland. In retirement she was an active bowler at Rossmere Lanes and enjoyed going for lunch and coffee with close friends afterwards. The family wishes to thank the amazing staff of the Palliative Care Unit (3 East) at the Riverview Health Centre for their exceptional care of Mom. Special thanks to nurses Maegan and Kate, to Rev. Helen Holbrook and Mark Courtney for their compassion. Each of you made Mom's life so much better. We feel blessed that Mom was able to be at Riverview with all of you. Never doubt you truly make a difference. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society in Mom's name. What Cancer Cannot Do Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot erode faith, it cannot destroy peace, it cannot kill friendship, it cannot suppress memories, it cannot silence courage, it cannot invade the soul, it cannot steal eternal life and it cannot conquer the spirit. Be at Peace Mom, we love you and you are forever with us. At Joyce's request, cremation has taken place and a private family service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 18, 2017