RONAGHAN, Joyce Anne 1936 – 2023

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce Anne Ronaghan (nee Cooper) on Friday, November 24, 2023, at the age of 87. Joyce passed peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Center.

Joyce was born in Castor, Alberta on January 29, 1936, to parents Elizabeth Vera (Macomber), and Henry Alvin Cooper. Her family moved to Red Deer in 1943. The final family home was a house on Michener Hill in Red Deer, where she lived while going to High School, before she was married.

Joyce met Roland just before graduation, in 1954. They fell in love and were married on July 2, 1955. This year they celebrated their 68th Anniversary at home in Champion. In January 1967, Roland went to the Yukon for work. In June of 1967 Joyce traded the Blackfalds house for a Mobile home, packed up the house then loaded up the station wagon with 5 children to drive to Whitehorse. The family moved to Mayo on December 31, 1968. Joyce had a greenhouse next to the garage, and a big garden beside it. Joyce enjoyed growing food for the family but also enjoyed her flower gardens. Joyce got a job working in the Post office in Mayo for a little while, then decided to start a business. Stewart Valley Enterprises was founded, and Joyce was an Agent for Sears, as well as an Agent for Northward Airlines. This involved going to the Airport 3 times a week, looking after passengers and freight. Joyce won two Sales awards from Sears over the years.

Roland and Joyce always loved to dance and were quite good. They learned to Square Dance and attended many Jamborees. We always enjoyed watching them float around the dance floor.

Joyce applied for and was granted the contract to run the CARS (Community Airport Radio Station) program at the Airport in Mayo. Joyce and Darren both were certified at Fort Smith to run this program and did so for many years. In 1991 the family helped to build the Bedrock Motel, which opened in 1992. They ran the Motel until 2007 when it was turned over to George and Tina, who ran it for the next 12 years. It was sold in 2019. Joyce won an Award from the Chamber of Commerce as the Businessperson of the year in 1993.

In the year 2007, Joyce and Roland officially retired and moved to Champion, Alberta. There they settled in, joined the local Church and the Pioneer Club. Joyce was the secretary-Treasurer for the Pioneer Club for many years. They spent their time improving their home, growing the gardens and travelling. Her favorite flower is the Rose, but the flowers that grew the most were her petunias. Joyce also took up Quilting, and made many wonderful, beautiful quilts for members of her family, as well as quilted placemats. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, including crochet, and a type of painting on tiles that produced some original tile art.

Joyce had many visitors in her last days, giving love and support and prayers. We are certain that all this love helped to send her on her way to heaven. She was much loved and respected by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband Roland, and children George, Clayton (Shiela), Christine Cote (Pat), Richard (Sheila) and Darren (Eva-Lynn). She also leaves behind Grandchildren Sarah Wilson (Dan), Aaron Gates (Elesia), Jeff Gates (Nikki), Michelle Cote, Leland Cote (Kalyen), Tyler Ronaghan (Harriet), Beckham Ronaghan (Aisling), Kellsey Ronaghan (Cody), Korrell Ronaghan (Steve), as well as Great Grandchildren, Tyler Dupuis, Mylo Gates, Mira and Sydney Cote, Charlie and Lily Ronaghan, and finally, Lochlainn and Ferguson Ronaghan.

A Memorial for Joyce will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2 pm, at the Champion Congregational Church, 301 – 2nd Avenue, Champion, Alberta T0L 0R0.

The family asks that in Lieu of Flowers, donations be made to the Champion Pioneer Club, PO Box 88, Champion, AB, T0L 0R0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.