Joyce Aline Cook

It is with heavy hearts that we mournfully announce the passing of Joyce Aline Cook, a long-time resident of Peace River, who passed away in Grimshaw on May 29th at the age 82.

Joyce was born in Prairie Lake, Alberta to parents Suzanne Whitehead and Ernest Scotty (Eskagan).

Joyce’s mother passed away when she was an infant to Tuberculosis. At that time Joyce went to live with different relatives throughout her early childhood. It was when she was about six years old that she first entered residential school in Grouard where she attended until the age of 16. During the summers of residential school, she would return home to live with her father and often her grandmother.

In 1957 when Joyce was sixteen, she met Harry Lambert. Soon after they moved to Three Creeks together where she helped Harry with his store and fur trading business. In 1959 their first child was born, Benjamin (Benny). In the proceeding years, they went on to have five more children together; Clayton, Brenda, Jaquie, Harry Jr. and Juliet. In 1966, Joyce and Harry moved their family to Peace River so that the children could attend school there. It wasn’t very long after that tragedy struck their family. Harry died suddenly in April of 1967. This left Joyce heartbroken and with no means to support her young family. She went to work at the restaurant at the Travellers Hotel. Jaquie and Brenda would often go to the restaurant and wait for her to finish work and walk home with her.

Sometime later Joyce met Larry Lambert whom she later married after having three boys Larry Jr, Chris and Leslie and a few years after the marriage Jeannette was born. Joyce’s time with Larry was very tumultuous, to say the least. This was a very tough time in Joyce’s life.

Finally, after about ten years Joyce was able to move on from her relationship with Larry. Years later Joyce met Chuck (Frances) Cook. Chuck brought Joyce stability, and they were able to have a home together. They married on June 25, 1988. This was a happy time for Joyce; she and Chuck went on several holidays, camping and travelling throughout B.C. Joyce discovered she loved gardening and every summer they had a beautiful garden in their backyard. She enjoyed canning tomatoes and cucumbers and filling up the pantry with their garden harvest. In time their health started to deteriorate, and Chuck fell ill. In 2012 Chuck suffered a stroke and had to be hospitalized. Soon after Joyce went to live in the Berwyn Seniors Lodge in 2013. Chuck never recovered and passed away in October of 2019. They were married for 31 years.

In 2014 Joyce moved to Heritage Tower in Peace River where she stayed until 2020. In October of 2020 Joyce needed a higher level of care and moved to Points West Living seniors home. She stayed there until October of 2022. At this time, she moved into Grimshaw Long Term Care. Joyce was given such great care and attention in Grimshaw. She got to know the residents and the staff quite well and had an enjoyable time. She would often tell stories of happenings there to us, her family, and we would laugh together.

Joyce always loved being around people and visiting; that was her favourite thing to do. She enjoyed knitting and always had a project on the go. Joyce loved to read and took great advantage of the libraries wherever she stayed. She loved keeping up with the Royals too so Brenda would always bring her the latest tabloid news when visiting.

Looking back on Joyce’s life, it was extremely hard. Joyce was such a strong woman who very seldom complained about anything. Even when in pain near the end she rarely complained. Joyce loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would always ask how everyone was doing. Her grandchildren, nieces and nephews remember going to her and Chuck’s home and always getting spoiled with candies and sweets and her Bannock was the best ever!

Joyce was pre-deceased by her first husband Harry; son Benjamin, son Larry, husband Frances (Chuck); her parents Ernest and Suzanne, siblings Ida, Leonard, Bruce, Edward, Norman, and Chester.

Joyce leaves to mourn son Clayton, daughter Brenda (Randy Yasinski), daughter Jacquie (Johnson Solorzano), Son Harry, daughter Juliet (Denis Toledo), 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Brother Raymond Scotty and family and sister Ruth Eldridge and family.

Joyce was a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a great-grandmother and a friend and we will all miss you so very much. May your soul rest forever in peace.

Care entrusted to Peace Valley Funeral Home Peace River
780-624-1010

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