Celebration of Life
Obituary of Joyce Burgin
Peacefully with her family by her side, Joyce passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospice London, on Saturday April 27th, in her 74thyear after a long courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Jim, daughter Monica Uffen (partner Shane Cartwright) her grandchildren Brodie and Briana Uffen. Her siblings, Barbara Gilchrist (Bob deceased), Hensall, Ruby Cromwell (Terry) Fingal, Wendy Ward (Ken) Central Elgin, Leonard Powers (Leslie) St.Thomas and Debbie Hindley (Cam) Sparta, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by an infant daughter (stillborn 1974), her parents Leonard and Ethel (Addley) Powers, her brothers Larry Powers (Gwen deceased), Jerry Powers (infant).
Born on June 10, 1945 in South Dorchester TWP and raised in the village of Union. As a teenager she worked on many of the local tobacco farms. She attended Union Public School and (sometimes) Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas. She worked several years at Therm-O-Disc before marrying her husband Jim on November 23, 1968. Together they raised their daughter Monica and were blessed with two grandchildren, Brodie and Briana. She was very talented with crafts and loved giving her creations to her friends and family. Some of her greatest enjoyment came from Christmas, the seasons spring, summer and fall (not winter!), home-cooked meals with family and friends, any type of shopping (she was a fashion diva), haircuts from her favourite stylist, Susan, any casino and of course Las Vegas, working in her flower gardens, Country music and concerts, polka dancing with her sister Ruby, cards and games, dogs (sorry not cats), ironing (literally anything!) anything involving her grandchildren and their activities, volunteering at Locke’s P.S. in the kindergarten class, feeding the birds everyday, vacuuming and cleaning (known affectionately as Mrs. Clean, she hated dirt and was its’ number one enemy), long walks, stock car races and the biggest fan of D.J. Kennington (and everyone in the crowd knew it).
Joyce loved the small-town life of St. Thomas and the surrounding area and was happy to live her whole life here. She was a hard-working devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who didn’t ask for expensive, extravagant items, she just wanted to be a good caring person and that is exactly what she was.
To all our family and friends that went above and beyond to extend a helping hand, a kind gesture and companionship to our family and especially to Joyce during these last few years we want to say thank you. To our neighbor Bernice Doan and friend Anne Watson for the many years of friendship as well as the guidance and support through this cancer journey. To Anne Watson and Cheryl McIntyre for the casino trips and phone calls who could make Joyce laugh and smile even on the toughest of days. To Alicia Thornton for being a caring and kind hearted friend. To Meredith Cartwright and all her family for embracing her as part of their family.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank
Dr. Dougherty and staff, doctors and nurses at the LHSC and STEGH Cancer Clinics, staff and caregivers involved at the South-West LHIN, VON nurses, the staff of the St. Joseph’s Hospice London, as well as the numerous other caregivers, pharmacists and medical staff that looked over Joyce’s care and needs.
A Celebration of Joyce's Life will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Masonic Centre of Elgin, 42703 Fruit Ridge Line, St. Thomas from 2 - 4 pm. As a donation of remembrance please consider St. Joseph’s Hospice London or the charity of your choice.
Memories of You
They say memories are golden
Well maybe that is true
But we never wanted memories
We only wanted you
A million times we’ve needed you
A million times we’ve cried
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died
In life we love you daily
In death we love you still
In our hearts you hold a special place
No one could ever fill
If tears could build a staircase
And heartache build a lane
We’d walk the path to heaven
And bring you back again
-Unknown Author-
