JAY, Joyce Claire 1938-2021
On Monday, July 5, 2021, Joyce Claire Jay, loving mother and grandmother passed away peacefully at the age of 82. Joyce was born on December 15, 1938 at the head of St. Margaret’s Bay to Fred and Majorie (Vincent) Mason. She moved to Halifax to attend school and went on to study Nursing, graduating at the top of her class in 1959. She was smart and quick thinking. She had compassion, charm and wit – all qualities which led her to being the youngest head nurse at the Children’s Hospital at the age of 23. The role was perfect for her as she loved children and caring for them, was a strong advocate for her nurses, and as she liked to recall, “putting the doctors in their place.” Mom loved to paint. A lifelong passion since she was a young mother home with two children to the last few months of her life. She shared this passion with others. She taught others to paint and if you were lucky enough to have a “Joyce Jay” original, then you were important to her. Mom will be remembered by all as a warm, fun, spiritual and loving person. Always positive, always counting her blessings. She was the person everyone came to for advice. With a hot cup of tea and a shoulder to cry on, she made everyone feel better. She was truly grateful for her family and friends and the joy and beauty in everyday life. She said it best: “I’ve had a wonderful life. Lived and loved to the fullest. Thanks be to God.” Joyce is predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Marjorie Mason; first husband, John Jay, and second husband, Charles Ballem; and stepson, Ronald Ballem. She is survived by brothers, Bill (Linda) Mason, Paul (Jessie) Mason, and sister, Shirley (Duncan) Dauphinee, and nieces and nephews. She will be missed by son, John (Laila) Jay, daughter, Elizabeth Jay (Simon Walling), and stepdaughter, Jennifer Ballem. Loving grandmother to Jessie, Jonah, Jackson, Malcolm and Lilly. She will be missed by her friends and Northwood Care family, who were such an important part of her life in her final years. The family also wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the Palliative Care Unit at the Victoria General Hospital, and to all the caring staff at the Halifax Hospice. Thank you to Dr. Pat Beresford, amazing doctor and friend. A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date.