Obituary of Shirley "Joyce" Evelyn de Jong

 (nee Gilroy)

Joyce passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on Saturday December 18, 2021, at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby.  She was born February 12, 1939 in Toronto to parents the late Carl and Dorothy (Eastman) Gilroy.  Survived by her loving husband Ralph.  Beloved mother of Carolyn (Terry) Doyle, and Christine (Mike) Shields.  Cherished grandmother of Nick, Melissa, Cory, Alex, Jessica and 7 great-grandchildren.  Loved sister of Russell (Pat), Pauline (Andy) Alma, Howard and sisters-in-law Marjorie and Anna.  She is predeceased by her beloved son David de Jong, brothers Doug, Michael and sister-in-law Lorraine.  Joyce earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) at McMaster University in 1981 and was a delightful school teacher for 36 years.  She loved to read and write poetry.  Joyce compiled a family tree of 300 pages going back 150+ years.  She was a nature and garden lover of flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies – beautiful plants and animals, loved by a truly beautiful person.  Her favourite hymn was “I Come to the Garden Alone”.  She was full of love, passion and just overall a wonderful woman and will be remembered for her warm hugs and kisses.  Strong, independent, creative and always there for anyone whether it be family, friend or even a stranger.  A graveside service was held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Notes of sympathy and condolences may be made at www.donaldvbrown.ca