July 13, 1927 - April 12, 2024
In loving memory ~
Edith Joyce Cowan, known to friends as Joyce, peacefully passed away on the morning of April 12 after a good and long life.
Joyce Finigan was born in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, to Lindsay and Winnifred Jean Finigan on July13 in 1927. Her father, a dentist, had his dental practice in their home and it was here that Don Cowan, handsome leader of the Navy band, wooed her, with the band playing beneath her bedroom window. Convinced of his goodness, she promptly completed a Bachelor degree from Acadia University (a parental condition) and then was married in the parlor of her parents' home.
Joyce and Don, as high school music teacher, moved to Nelson where Julie Dawn and David Jan were born. Four years later, they moved to Regina where Don taught music in high school and then at the University of Regina. Joyce enjoyed her role as stay-at -home Mom, involved in community work and the United Church where she was a CGIT leader. The couple had a close circle of friends with whom they square danced, golfed, cross country skied, played bridge (Joyce was 'champ' into her eighties), had teas and dinners. She supported her husband and children in their pursuits while sewing, baking, canning, gardening and keeping her house in order with good taste. Joyce, always nicely turned out, responded socially with a deep sense of decency.
The couple, in retirement with the children building their own lives, moved from the middle of Canada to the balmier west coast, Victoria, where Joyce was once again living beside an ocean, walking hand in hand with Don. They holidayed yearly in Hawaii, cruised and explored other cultures with an ear to music and an eye for art. They visited their grandchildren in Newfoundland and then Indianapolis for time with Jan's family and here in the Okanagan for Julie's. And everywhere, Joyce made friends, kind and gracious to all, yet with a twinkle in her eye that made her memorable.
Joyce moved to Vernon after Don passed in 2014, always referring to him while she enjoyed the company of her family. She continued to enjoy life, her character kindling friendship with community and staff in Canterbury Court and then Creekside Landing.
She has now joined Don, the love of her life. But she will be missed by her daughter Julie Oakes who was married to Christopher Oakes and her granddaughter Greta Oakes who married Steve Winkler who had Joyce's great granddaughter Wren Winkler, and her grandson, Victor and Ashley Oakes with their sons, her great grandsons, Sawyer and Jackson and also by Julie's partner Richard Fogarty. Joyce's son Jan Cowan with his wife Shelly, their son Cory Cowan who married Tracy Hicks to have her great grandchildren, Emma, Charlotte and Joshua, and Joyce's granddaughter Krista Choe (nee Cowan) who married Yong Choe and their family, great grandchildren Riley, Caden and Ava - all are saddened to no longer enjoy Joyce's company.
Please contact julie@julieoakes.com for more information.