The heart matters for Joyce and Jerry Temple
If you work at St. Paul’s Hospital, you are sure to have engaged in conversation with housekeeper Joyce Temple, who has been with St. Paul’s Hospital for the past 14 years.
“Everyone at St. Paul’s works hard to help others. I love the place and the people and I’m always having fun at work,” says Joyce, whose infectious laughter is sure to bring a positive outlook to your day.
“I am generally a very positive person,” says Joyce. “But I wasn’t always this way.”
Separated from her mother at a young age by social services, Joyce’s early days were sometimes very difficult. “My mother was a hard worker with a heart of gold, but she was hurting. She became an alcoholic and there was lots of fighting at home. I didn’t understand why we were taken away,” she says. “I hated everyone.”
It took many years of personal struggle and her relationship with God for Joyce to get where she is today. She encourages others who are suffering to forgive those who have hurt you. “It’s very easy to hold on the bitterness and hatred, but through forgiveness I’ve become a much happier person.”
These days, Joyce and her husband Jerry are regular volunteers at their church, and enjoy serving others in their community. Joyce hopes that her story inspires others to make it through the tough times. “I know what it is like to live in fear and anger, but don’t give up on yourself. Everyone has potential. There is love everywhere. We just have to share it.”
The Temples now want to spread the love by making a legacy gift to St. Paul’s Hospital. “When Jerry and I sat down to talk about the gift, we decided to honour the memory of our mothers, Dene Temple and Gladys Wilson,” said Joyce. “This is one way we can honour the love they gave us and pass it forward.”
Because Joyce and Jerry’s mothers had heart issues, they have chosen to designate half of their gift to support heart health. “When you leave a legacy gift in tribute to a loved one, their spirit lives on in the gift,” says Joyce. “We feel a certain peacefulness knowing we have honoured our mothers, and it feels good knowing the gift will help others.”
Joyce believes everyone should consider leaving a legacy gift that will help others. “It’s all about the heart. Even if your life is not the best life, you can still do good and pass the love on to the next person,” she says. “You would be surprised at the reward it gives. Sometimes the smallest things result in the biggest feelings.”
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation is grateful for the Temples’ planned gift. If you would like to learn more about making a planned gift in your Will, please contact Aubree Worobetz, Major Gifts Officer at 306.655.5829 or