Obituary for (Mary) Joyce Saxton
Saxton, (Mary) Joyce (née Dampsey)
(Mary) Joyce Saxton was born July 23, 1930 at Davidson, SK to Helen and Stewart Dampsey. As young child she grew up on a farm near Broderick, SK. and later moved to Outlook, SK. She was an avid swimmer and excelled in school. She attended Normal School in Saskatoon. Her teaching career took her to Plenty, SK. There she met Alex Saxton. They were married on July 23, 1953.
Joyce and Alex shared what they believed was their most important job, raising three healthy children. Joyce was a dedicated parent and even recorded the goals and aspirations she had for her children. She always encouraged and inspired them.
Joyce was passionately involved to support and enhance her community. She volunteered at the church, the school, the museum, the rink, the library, through the arts and at any time there was need for help in the community. Joyce possessed a high energy level and became very skilled at sewing, knitting, gardening and as a homemaker. The quantity and quality of her handicrafts was extraordinary. Although she was very humble about her abilities, she earned the Mrs. Chatelaine award in 1961. Joyce and Alex were both passionate readers and enjoyed reading about current events, “how to” books, as well as fact and fiction.
Joyce was the epitome of a lifelong learner and instinctively shared her skills and expertise from teaching swimming at Lake Opuntia to teaching adult education classes in upholstery and wood refinishing, throughout her life.
Joyce and Alex developed a keen interest in travelling for at least 15 years. They enjoyed exploring unusual destinations, such as Nicaragua, Israel and the experience of riding camels in Morocco to name a few. They loved sharing stories of their wanderlust.
Joyce and Alex spent most of their life in Plenty. They left their well-loved community in 1994 to move to Airdrie, AB. Joyce naturally became involved in more volunteer activities at the Airdrie Food Bank, the library, the Blood Donor Clinic, their condo association and at the Seniors Group.
Joyce was widowed in 2000. She continued to live in Airdrie, until 2016 when she moved to Calgary.
On a bright, sunny, early morning of May 31, 2019, with her loving family close by, Joyce passed away peacefully. Joyce Dampsey Saxton was a vibrant woman and enjoyed a full life.
Joyce is survived by:
her daughter Sandy Vigrass (Randy Von Hagen), grandchildren Andrea (Darren) Eng, Adam and Graham (Kylie) Vigrass and great grandchildren Weston and Macklin Eng;
her son Don (Mylene) Saxton, grandchildren Milou (Tom Richards), Ben (Emily), Camille and Dustin (Nadyne) Saxton and great grandchild Lily Crudup;
her daughter Sherry (Bruce) Richards, grandchildren Elizabeth, Will and Ann Richards and her brother, David Dampsey.
Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband, Alex; her parents, and two brothers.
There will be a family celebration to honor Joyce and her extraordinary life
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Canadian Cancer Research or to the Plenty Museum, Box 99, Plenty, SK, S0L 2R0.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Leonard and the caring staff at Wentworth Manor, Calgary, AB.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Joyce, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
(Mary) Joyce Saxton was born July 23, 1930 at Davidson, SK to Helen and Stewart Dampsey. As young child she grew up on a farm near Broderick, SK. and later moved to Outlook, SK. She was an avid swimmer and excelled in school. She attended Normal School in Saskatoon. Her teaching career took her to Plenty, SK. There she met Alex Saxton. They were married on July 23, 1953.
Joyce and Alex shared what they believed was their most important job, raising three healthy children. Joyce was a dedicated parent and even recorded the goals and aspirations she had for her children. She always encouraged and inspired them.
Joyce was passionately involved to support and enhance her community. She volunteered at the church, the school, the museum, the rink, the library, through the arts and at any time there was need for help in the community. Joyce possessed a high energy level and became very skilled at sewing, knitting, gardening and as a homemaker. The quantity and quality of her handicrafts was extraordinary. Although she was very humble about her abilities, she earned the Mrs. Chatelaine award in 1961. Joyce and Alex were both passionate readers and enjoyed reading about current events, “how to” books, as well as fact and fiction.
Joyce was the epitome of a lifelong learner and instinctively shared her skills and expertise from teaching swimming at Lake Opuntia to teaching adult education classes in upholstery and wood refinishing, throughout her life.
Joyce and Alex developed a keen interest in travelling for at least 15 years. They enjoyed exploring unusual destinations, such as Nicaragua, Israel and the experience of riding camels in Morocco to name a few. They loved sharing stories of their wanderlust.
Joyce and Alex spent most of their life in Plenty. They left their well-loved community in 1994 to move to Airdrie, AB. Joyce naturally became involved in more volunteer activities at the Airdrie Food Bank, the library, the Blood Donor Clinic, their condo association and at the Seniors Group.
Joyce was widowed in 2000. She continued to live in Airdrie, until 2016 when she moved to Calgary.
On a bright, sunny, early morning of May 31, 2019, with her loving family close by, Joyce passed away peacefully. Joyce Dampsey Saxton was a vibrant woman and enjoyed a full life.
Joyce is survived by:
her daughter Sandy Vigrass (Randy Von Hagen), grandchildren Andrea (Darren) Eng, Adam and Graham (Kylie) Vigrass and great grandchildren Weston and Macklin Eng;
her son Don (Mylene) Saxton, grandchildren Milou (Tom Richards), Ben (Emily), Camille and Dustin (Nadyne) Saxton and great grandchild Lily Crudup;
her daughter Sherry (Bruce) Richards, grandchildren Elizabeth, Will and Ann Richards and her brother, David Dampsey.
Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband, Alex; her parents, and two brothers.
There will be a family celebration to honor Joyce and her extraordinary life
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Canadian Cancer Research or to the Plenty Museum, Box 99, Plenty, SK, S0L 2R0.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Leonard and the caring staff at Wentworth Manor, Calgary, AB.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Joyce, please visit www.choicememorial.com.