February 13, 1925 - February 5, 2019
Here is the story of Joyce Buckingham, born Margaret Joyce to Anne (Nan) and William (Bill) Standeven (both long since deceased) on the farm adjacent to Camp River in Chilliwack. She married Wendall Buckingham back in 1946 and claims to have really never regretted that move. Although the marriage did include about 10 separate moves of household before they left Prince George and finally settled on a farm in the Rosedale area in 1961. They remained in the Chilliwack area until finally moving over to Ladysmith in 2012.
Joyce was an elementary school teacher for many years in the Chilliwack School District. As she often noted, she regressed from third grade, to second, to first and retired as a kindergarten teacher. She took teaching and mentoring beyond the schoolroom and often was lead to admonishing her children, making clear her disappointment in the latest transgressions (especially memorable for her comments of, "Oh Lloyd...!")
An avid seamstress, she sewed blouses and dresses, including wedding gowns for herself and many others. The house was often festooned with fabric (or chunks of cloth in Wendall's words). Both Joyce and Wendall were active members of the Rosedale United Church for all their years in Chilliwack.
Joyce out-lived her husband, Wendall, her sister Jean and brothers Richard and John. She is survived by her brothers Norman and Bill Jr.
Her three children, Betty (Vincent) Garnett, Nancy Dow and Lloyd (Debbie) Buckingham, seven surviving grandchildren and 13 surviving great-grandchildren will carry her story on into the future.
Services will be later in the spring in Ladysmith BC.