Obituary of Joyce Rushton

RUSHTON: Our family is sad to announce the death of Joyce Ashley Kay Rushton on March 21, 2014 at Hillcrest Personal Care Home in Brandon, Manitoba. Joyce was born in Liverpool, England in 1924 to Oswald and Elizabeth (Rice) KAY. They immigrated to Canada in 1928, and farmed on the beautiful Grenadier Island in the St. Lawrence Seaway until her mother's death a year later. The family moved to Saskatchewan where Joyce lived with her eldest sister Winifred's family until 1937. When her father married Annie Hillier, she went to live with them in Chaggoness, Saskatchewan. Joyce graduated high school in Naicam, Saskatchewan and that same year she began teaching at age 17 in Eriksdale, Manitoba. After Winnipeg Normal School, Joyce went to teach grades 5-8 in Waskada, Manitoba. In 1946, at 22, she was assistant principal at Dewberry School, Alberta. In July 1947, Joyce married Glen Rushton in Edmonton, Alberta. They made their home on the Rushton farm, 5 miles south of Waskada. Alan was born in 1948 and Beth in 1951. While their children were small, Joyce was active with the United Church Women. By 1960 she was asked to teach again in Waskada. The family moved into town and Joyce began teaching French, English and Art to Junior High students. She became Elementary School Principal and in 1969 they moved to Virden. There, Joyce continued teaching Junior High French and Art until her retirement in 1978. But Joyce could not retire from art and went on to lead adult classes for Manitoba Cultural Affairs. She worked a year at the Brandon Art Gallery and for Arts West to raise art awareness from Brandon to the US border. For twenty years, she donated her paintings to raise funds for Brandon's South Western Art Gallery. In 2000, Joyce and Glen moved from Virden to Brandon and lived at Riverheights Terrace. Glen and Joyce were happily married for 63 years. After his death in 2010, Joyce once again held art classes for the Riverheights residents, and organized exhibitions of their work. Joyce was predeceased by her parents Oswald and Elizabeth, her husband Glen, her sisters Winifred, Lilian, Madeline, Irene, and her brother Harry. Joyce is survived by her son Alan of Winnipeg, daughter Beth (Horst) of Surrey B.C., grandson Lyndsey Ferguson (Ana) of Reston, Virginia, and her granddaughter Melanie Rushton (Tony) of Winnipeg. We all miss her bright, shining, face. "Marrying Joyce was the best decision of my life." — Glen "Mom had a generous spirit and believed in living life to the fullest. She was joyful and curious". — Al and Beth "Grandma was caring, strong, and smart. She was full of life, with passion for art, teaching and politics. She was an example of perseverance, hope, and family". — Lyndsey "Grandma was a shrewd business woman, yet fair, incredibly kind, and thoughtful. She inspired me to be patient and encouraged me through hard times. I will always remember her as one of the most positive people I have ever known." — Melanie A private, family interment will be held at the cemetery in Waskada, Manitoba this summer. Joyce's favorite charities were the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Liberal Party of Canada. Messages or condolences may be left on Joyce Rushton's on-line guest book at http://www.brockiedonovan.com/ "The Family is the Country of the heart. There is an angel in the Family who, by the mysterious influence of grace, of sweetness, and of love, renders the fulfillment of duties less wearisome, sorrows less bitter. The only pure joys unmixed with sadness which it is given to man to taste upon earth are, thanks to this angel, the joys of the Family." –– Guiseppe Mazzini