Margaret “Joyce” Thurston (nee Moffat)
January 7, 1934 - January 25, 2025
Peacefully on January 25, Joyce passed away at the Portage District Hospital at the age of 91 with her daughters by her side due to complications of covid-19.
Joyce is survived by her daughters; Lori (Ray) Hartle, Tracy Thurston (Wes Manulak), granddaughters; Cassandra Hartle, (Jay Rondeau), Shaye Hartle, Justine (Ian) MacArthur, grandson Reece Manulak and great-granddaughter Gemma MacArthur. She is also survived by brothers; Harold (Carol), Allan (Bev), Doug (Linda), sisters; Eileen Enveldson, Shirley Munro, Doris (Charles) Baksh, and sisters-in-law; Bertha Moffat and Margaret Moffat, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Ray Thurston, her parents, Mathew and Margaret Moffat, brothers; Stan, Ted, Keith, Bill, sister and brother-in-law Myrle and Mel Wilson, and deceased brothers-in-law; Harvey Munro and Jack Enveldson.
Joyce was born and raised on the farm in Salem district. She was the third in the family of 12 children. She attended school at Salem, Wingham, and Portage Collegiate. After high school, she completed a business course at at Miss McKay’s Business School while working evenings at the Manitoba Developmental School. Joyce then worked for CIBC in Portage where she made lifelong friends. In 1960, after her marriage to Ray, they moved to McDonald, Manitoba. While in McDonald, Joyce was a stay-at-home mom to Lori and Tracy until their move back to Portage in 1968, where she was employed full time as a secretary with the Portage la Prairie School Division. She retired in 1987 to help care for her mother.
Joyce volunteered for many organizations including the MacDonald United Church teaching Sunday School, the McDonald Community Hall, and the Army & Navy Ladies Auxiliary where she worked countless hours preparing and serving banquets for 17 years before becoming a member of Unit #13. She was also the treasurer for the girls’ ball league, and the band program when her girls were involved. She canvassed for the Heart and Stroke Foundation for many years and loved volunteering for the McCain/Safeway Select curling events.
Mom had so many talents and hobbies. She knit and crocheted beautiful sweaters, baby blankets and afghans for her girls and her grandchildren. She was an excellent seamstress, making many outfits for Lori and Tracy and outfitting Lori’s Barbie doll collection. Mom bowled in the 10-pin league for 17 years and curled for many years in the La Reine ladies league. She learned to refinish and upholster wood furniture. She took up scrapbooking and made memory books for her grandchildren. She loved playing crib and played once a week at the Army & Navy. She was so excited when she obtained the perfect cribbage hand and has the picture to prove it! She was the accompanist on the chord organ for Thurston family musical get-togethers.
She was an avid Winnipeg Jets and curling fan. She enjoyed watching both, whether live or recorded.
Mom and Dad camped at Lake of the Prairies for over 30 years. They travelled together to Florida, Arizona, and made numerous trips to Calgary and British Columbia. Before she was married, she travelled to California and to Brownsville, Texas. Her first time on an airplane was a trip to visit her sister Myrle in Baden-Baden, Germany in the 1970s. A special highlight was an Alaskan cruise for her 80th birthday. Visits to Victoria and Ottawa were also special to mom.
Joyce was among the first residents of Dufferin Villa Assisted Living. She loved the view from her third-floor suite, the ability to reconnect with acquaintances living there and meeting and forming relationships with new neighbours. She enjoyed the meals, activities, music, a good game of Rummikub and adding a few pieces to the puzzle on her morning walk.
Family was so important to Joyce; she had wonderful relationships with her siblings throughout her 91 years. She treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren, especially teaching and playing tile rummy and crib with them. Family gatherings were always at her house, where she made delicious meals. She was thrilled to become a great grandmother and was so happy she was able to meet Gemma.
Joyce was the memory keeper of the family. She shared so many stories about her life. If her siblings had any questions about historical family facts, they phoned Joyce. She had all her mental faculties and then some right up to the time she passed.
Mom was the rock for our family, and we will miss her terribly. But how she lived her life and the love she gave us has left an indelible mark; she will always be with us.
Joyce’s family would like to thank Bonny, Alex and the numerous home care workers who helped Joyce. Without you, mom would not have been able to live independently.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hall of the Good Shepherd Church (south entrance), 1125 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
Should friends so desire donations would be gratefully accepted at P.A.W.S., 121 – 12 St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 4A2 or Community Foundation of Portage & District, 206 Sask. Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K9.
Flynn Memorial Services is entrusted with the arrangements.
Messages of condolences can be made online at http://www.flynnmemorial.com
