Obituary of Joy Western

WESTERN, Marion Joyce "Joy" (nee Stoneman)

June 3, 1926- October 25, 2024

With sadness, yet with gratitude for a life of 98 years well lived, we share the news of Joy's gentle passing on Friday night to be united with her beloved husband, Bill, her dear daughter, Wendy, and her loving parents, John and Muriel (Grayson) Stoneman. She is predeceased by her brothers Tom, Jack, Earl and Doug and sisters Ruth and Ann. She is survived by her son, Will, her sister Charlotte (Geoff) Hargreaves, in Scotland, her brother, Patrick Stoneman, in Fort Garry, Manitoba, and her sister-in-law, Joan Stoneman, in Victoria BC. and many much loved nieces and nephews in Canada and Great Britain. She was born in Saskatoon and later moved with her family to Winnipeg, then Ottawa before moving to their new home just outside Port Dover with her husband Bill. In Ottawa, Joy was a secretary in the Dept. of Agriculture where she met Bill and together, they developed their successful quarter horse breeding and training business. Joy was a devoted member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, being first invited to join in Winnipeg, later in Ottawa and finally in the Simcoe chapter where she has celebrated 70 years of membership, fellowship and service. Joy began her commitment to the church in Winnipeg where she taught Sunday School and remained in touch with her 'girls' for more than 70 years. She was a faithful member of Grace United church, the UCW (the women's group of the church), the Port Dover Horticultural Society, The Marburg Women's Institute and the AQHA (the American Quarter Horse Association) where she acted as secretary for the horse show. She looked forward to travelling to Columbus Ohio for the annual meeting of Congress. She proudly drove her big red truck around town until her health no longer permitted it. Joy always expressed her gratitude to the staff of Rosewood Senior Living and Norview LTC for the friendships she enjoyed and the care she received. Her friends will remember her warm smile and her thoughtful notes. Her birthday celebrations with friends and family gave her many happy memories to ponder in her last months. Funeral arrangements have been placed in the care of Thompson Waters Funeral Home in Port Dover (519-583-1530) with a celebration of Joy's life to take place on Thursday, November 7th at 11:00am at Grace United Church, Port Dover with a time of visitation beginning at 10:00am. The service will be livestreamed at graceunitedportdover.org.  A reception in the Community Hall at Grace United Church will follow the service prior to burial in Breslau with her family. Should it be your choice, donations in memory of Joy to the SPCA would be sincerely appreciated. Online donations and or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca