Obituary of Joyce Alene Lancaster (Tittemore)
Joyce Alene Lancaster (Tittemore), 93, passed away May 21, 2022, after a courageous battle with Dementia.
Joyce was born on the family farm in Liberty, Saskatchewan in 1929. She excelled in school at the Free-Soil-School in Liberty, graduating in 1946 and attended the University of Saskatoon, eventually graduating from the Regina General Hospital’s school of Nursing in 1950.
Her first nursing job was at the Melfort Union Hospital where she met a young man named Don. Looking for adventure, Joyce took a job in Denver, Colorado with one of her classmates from nursing school. Not to be deterred, Don set off to Colorado to persuade his new love to follow him back home to Melfort. They were wed on November 15, 1952, in Liberty but Melfort is where they began their life and would live until 1968 when they moved their family to Stettler, Alberta. In 1972, they would settle in Red Deer, a community that they discovered on their honeymoon and always dreamt of living. Joyce continued her nursing career and would eventually retire in 1994 after 25 years working mostly at the West Park Nursing Home.
Joyce loved shopping and fashion; both of these passions stayed with her throughout her life. Her family would often hear her critiquing the News anchors on TV for their hair and attire. She was a talented sewer, knitter and baker. Everybody loved it when Joyce made her cinnamon buns!
Joyce’s children and grandchildren were the loves of her life and brought her endless joy. She was passionate about spending time with her grandkids and wanting to share her interests with them and enjoyed watching them grow. Joyce, above all, was devoted to her family. She loved camping and traveling, spending many Saskatchewan vacations in Waskesiu, Melfort and Liberty as she raised her children. Once on their own, she enjoyed countless vacations in Hawaii, Las Vegas and Arizona with Don and often special friends. Joyce loved sunbathing on the beach, and one might say this was her favourite summer hobby.
Joyce was an avid photographer and she loved to put photo albums together. We called her the original scrapbooker. If a greeting card didn’t have the exact words she wanted it to say, she would be known to adjust the card to make it personal for the receiver.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Don, together for 70 years. She is survived by her children, Doug (Grettie), and Donna (Freddy); her grandchildren, Jalene (Melissa) and Randy (Cia), and other family and dear friends. Joyce was a loyal and dedicated friend to her sister, May, who spent countless hours shopping together on May days (every Tuesday) and enjoying many adventures. Special mention of a very dear sister friend, Verna Holden, who shared so many special moments of joy and friendship over the years.
Joyce was predeceased by her loving parents, Hazel and Ernest Tittemore, and siblings Charles (Ruby), Margaret (Vince) Skeldon, Delbert (Pat), and Jimmy (Maureen). She is also predeceased by her grandson, John, in 2004.
Joyce spent her last three years of life at Points West Living in Red Deer with Don right by her side. Their love story, a perfect fit for a screen play. Her sweet and gentle demeanor, filled with just the right amount of sass when least expected, invited many of the caring team at Points West to fall in love with her joy and passion for life. No longer needing to fuss in the kitchen or mend a sock, she had time to relax and take life easy, being pampered and enjoying the little things in life.
Joyce will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved her. She made this world a better place and touched the lives of many throughout her lifetime. Her family will celebrate her wonderful life at a later date.
Donations are welcome in Joyce’s memory to your local Alzheimer’s chapter.
For condolences to the family, please email: meaningful@telus.net.
Arrangements in care of
Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service
A locally owned cremation and funeral provider
serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta
587-876-4944