Joyce’s Life Story

Joyce Marie Giesbrecht was born on June 1, 1966 to David and Annie Giesbrecht in Richmond, BC, where she grew up on a ten acre hobby farm. Joyce was their last child, a baby sister to Jim, Howard and Elaine. Joyce loved to play outside, where there was lots of room to ride bikes, climb trees, play in the barn, drive the tractor and, of course, have dogs and lots of cats to play with.

Dad had to wait until Joyce was born to finally have a child to share his love of sports with, especially baseball. Joyce's and Dad's favourite team was the Toronto Bluejays and they watched games together until Dad no longer could. But when it came to the American Baseball League, Dad and Joyce had rival teams. Joyce cheered on the Yankees, while Dad rooted for the Dodgers.

After high school, Joyce went to Bethany Bible School in Hepburn, Saskatchewan for a year, which was long enough for her in that cold environment. The next year, she completed her Medical Office Assistant diploma at Vancouver Vocational Institute. With lots of studying, as well as Mom’s medical knowledge and support, Joyce made it through.

Joyce always wanted to work in a hospital. To build up her hours, she worked at Holy Family Hospital and at BC Children’s Hospital. In 1988, she was hired at BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, which put on the yearly Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. She started as the receptionist and 11 years later was the Executive Assistant to the Marketing Director.

In 1990, Joyce bought a two bedroom condo in Richmond. Her friend, Teresa, and her were roommates until Duncan and Joyce were married on July 24, 1993. Although Joyce was adamant that she would not start a
family living in the condo, they did. Mark was born in 1997 and nine months later, Joyce and Duncan bought a house on Moore Avenue in Chilliwack, where they raised their family. Lindsay was born in 1999 and Jennifer in 2000. Joyce was glad to be living close to her family again.

Joyce supported Duncan tremendously in all his work and business ventures, especially during his volleyball coaching career. Joyce kept the home fires burning while Duncan often worked late into the evenings after a
day at work. Joyce learned how to be content in her role as a homemaker and supported their children all through their schooling and beyond.

Joyce loved to be outside, rather than doing inside jobs, and kept busy doing a variety of work over the years. In the neighbourhood, she would mow lawns, garden and cared for an elderly gentleman. Joyce and the kids
had paper routes. She taught them the value of work and doing a job right by her example and instruction. Joyce was a noon hour supervisor in the Chilliwack School District for 15 years, which also coincided with her blind installation job, where she was known as “The Blind Lady”. When Duncan and Joyce moved to Langley, she enjoyed a variety of work at Safeway.

Church life was an important part of Joyce’s growing up years and she made a commitment to Jesus early in her life. She was baptised at Richmond Bethel MB Church as a teenager, where she sang soprano in
the choir. Joyce made many good friends in the Youth and College and Career Groups. When her and Duncan moved to Chilliwack, they joined Central Community Church where Joyce taught Sunday School to toddlers and was the co-ordinator for the Welcome Lunches. Joyce believed in the power of prayer and spent lots of time praying for people and various situations.

As an adult, she refused to be that little sister who just listened. Through experiences and maturity, Joyce developed into a person who shared her opinions and, in true Giesbrecht style, sometimes rather bluntly. She stood up for herself when she was mistreated or disagreed with something. She was full of common sense and practical knowledge. Joyce was interested in other people’s lives and got involved when opportunities arose.

Some of Joyce’s favourite things were: vacationing in Mexico with Duncan, spending time with her children, visiting Auntie Janey's place in Ontario, cats, lavender, driving, homemade Almond Roca, sun-tanning and a
beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. She was so very proud of her children, sharing in their excitement and disappointments, and always interested in their lives.

On January 24, 2026, at the age of 59, after a 10 month courageous battle with Abdominal Cancer, the shadows of Joyce’s life were gone and she flew to a land where joy shall never end to meet her Lord and Saviour. She is now reunited with her parents, whom she missed so very much.

Joyce leaves to mourn: Duncan, her husband of 32 years; her son, Mark (Megan); her daughters, Lindsay  (Cole) Wallin and Jennifer (Brayden)Vander Deen; her siblings, Jim (Sirpa) Giesbrecht, Howard (Elaine)
Giesbrecht, and Elaine (Paul) Warkentin, and her extended family.

Please join us as we celebrate Joyce's life on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:00 am at Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel (11969 216 Street, Maple Ridge).  Reception to follow.