Obituary of Joyce Rose McAlea

McALEA, Joyce Rose (nee Davey) – At Bluewater Health – Norman Site on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the age of 85. Cherished daughter of the late Owen Anthony Davey and Mary Curlett Davey (nee Jefferson). Beloved wife of John for 63 years. Dear mother of James McAlea, Sarnia, Marie & her husband Al Ceponis, Sarnia, Dominic McAlea & his wife Judith, Ottawa, Owen McAlea, Sarnia and Veronica & her husband Denis Major, London. Loving grandmother of Catherine, Peter, Mary Anne, Veronica, Jacob, Molly, Aimee, John Ross, Liam and Ryan. Great-grandmother of Max. Sister of Marie Jones, Sarnia, Owen (Marilyn) Davey, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Paul (Sue) Davey, Victoria, B.C. and Stephanie (Rene) Gasparotto, London. Sister-in-law of Pat Davey, Montreal. Predeceased by grandson Philip Stanley Ceponis, sister Veronica Violet Cox, brother James Michael Davey, sister Margaret Elizabeth Davey, niece Alexandra Susan Gasparotto, brothers-in-law Leslie Cox and James Jones. Proudly British, Joyce was born in Barrow-in-Furness, England on 26 September 1923. Growing up during the Great Depression, Joyce was the eldest of eight children. She left school early to work to help support her family and to help raise her brothers and sisters. During World War II, she served as a WREN. Joyce also worked in the Sarnia General Hospital ‘case room’ – delivering untold numbers of new Canadians - for more than 20 years. Joyce and her husband John immigrated to Canada in 1952 to create a new life and opportunities for her own family and her extended family, and she never looked back. There will be no funeral home visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Higgins at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church on Monday at 11 a.m. Interment to follow. Arrangements entrusted to McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, SARNIA, (519-344-3131). As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Catholic Charity of your choice. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Joyce McAlea in the mcKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 20th, 2009