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| Joyce Hayden passed away peacefully in the late afternoon of March 7th in Whitehorse, Yukon at the age of 77. Although through the final years of her life Joyce endured a physical struggle, her love for others, and spirit for life, always remained strong. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Earle Hayden; three children and spouses: Sandra and Darrell Merriman, Pat Burke and Dan Gresley-Jones, and Terry and Pat Hayden; as well as 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her brother Neil (Red) Johnson and his wife Gert. Joyce was born in her grandparent's log farmhouse in Birch Lake, Saskatchewan in 1931. She was the only daughter of Irene Ulena McNeill Larson. While the family did not have a lot, as Joyce described: “They knew how to make the best of, and enjoy, what they had.” This approach, a love for learning, and her independence and self-direction passed down from a long line of pioneer women formed the basis for a very full and purposeful life. She met Earle at a country dance and married him a year later, on February 11, 1949, in the midst of the year's worst winter blizzard. She and Earle worked hard to eke out a living in northern Saskatchewan and British Columbia. It didn't take much convincing, when Neil, from Whitehorse, Yukon asked, “ Why don't you come North? There are lots of jobs up there!” In 1953, Joyce and Earle set off for Whitehorse in a 1949 Dodge pick-up with two daughters, sister-in-law Gert and her daughter, and a prized washing machine. The beauty of the Yukon captivated Joyce and she became a committed Yukoner, and lived all but 12 of her last 56 years there. Joyce channelled her love of the Yukon's outdoors into helping the Girl Guides organization establish the Sprucewind Campsite at Marsh Lake. There began a life committed to helping others through volunteerism, advocacy and political service. Over the course of her life, Joyce sat on the boards of over forty organizations and is a founding member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Women's Committee, the Yukon Status of Women Council, the Yukon Women's Mini-Bus Society, the Yukon New Democratic Party and the Vernon Women's Transition Home Society. In recognition of her life of work, she has received the Canadian Volunteer Award, the Yukon Commissioner's Award, the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award, and was inducted into the Yukon's Transportation Hall of Fame. One of her proudest moments of recognition was on October 18, 2003, when Joyce was given a Governor General’s award in commemoration of the Persons Case. This award honours women who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of life for women in Canada. Joyce was politically active, as a member, party executive and campaign manager in the New Democratic Party, both in B.C. and Yukon, for much of her adult life. Although legally blind since 1983, she ran in the 1989 Yukon General Election, was elected, and in mid-term, named to Cabinet. She served as the Minister of Health and Social Services, with Responsibility for the Yukon Housing Corporation until the end of her four year term. Joyce left politics in 1992 and made a valiant effort to “give herself Monday mornings off” but soon started a consulting and writing business and quickly reengaged into the community. Despite her busy lifesyle, family and friends always remained a priority. Throughout her life, spiritual growth and cultural appreciation was always an important part of Joyce's life. She took painting lessons from Ted Harrison and was a Reiki and Shamanism practitioner. In particular, the Whitehorse United Church always filled a special place in her heart. The words she wrote about herself summarize her life the best: “I always tell people to be very careful of what they want, because they might just get it. And that seems to have held true in my life. I've done almost all the things that I set out as a young woman to accomplish, as well as a few I hadn't thought of....I've spent most of my life doing, now I need to practice being. For a long-time social activist, that isn't easy. I still feel such a strong commitment to my community.” Rest well Joyce. You've earned it. We love you. Our sincere gratitude for the care and support provided by Dr. Carew, the staff at both Whitehorse General Hospital and Copper Ridge. ********************************** |
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Please join the family in celebrating the life of Joyce Hayden |
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