Joyce Anne Heaman
May 3, 1931 - December 11, 2024
As published in the December 30, 2024 World-Spectator
Joyce Anne Heaman was born May 3, 1931 in Elkhorn, Manitoba. She was the eldest child of George Peter and Irene Annie (nee Gallinger) Veldhouse.
She was raised in the Joslin District, where she attended the first years of her schooling. Joyce and her sister completed their education in Virden, boarding in town during the school year. After completing Grade 10, she returned home and worked out as hired help during the summer and helped at home in the winter.
On July 4, 1951, Joyce married Alvin Clarance Heaman. They lived and farmed in the Joslin District until 1959 when they purchased the Milne farm (14-11-27) in Hargrave. Years later they purchased the Gordon farm (13-11-27). They continued to live and farm there until February 1989 at which time Joyce and Alvin moved to Hargrave Street in Virden. Joyce remained there until 2006 when she moved to the Princess Lodge. At the time of her passing she was a resident of the Sherwood Personal Care Home.
Joyce was an industrious and hardworking woman. When a job needed to be done, she rolled up her sleeves and got to it, whether it was milking cows, hauling grain, picking stones, feeding chickens, or tending the house, garden and yard. Many of these jobs were done with children in a carriage beside her or toddling after her.
Like most farmers they had good and bad years, so when it was necessary, Joyce also worked off the farm. As she said “I had four kids to feed and I needed money.” At first, she did private house cleaning, then held jobs at the Sherwood, Shell Restaurant, Westman Nursing Home and with the Whiteford family. From July 1979 to July 1996, Joyce was Postmaster at Hargrave, with the post office located in the family home.
Never one to sit idle, Joyce had many interests. She was a lifetime member at both St. Andrew’s United Church in Hargrave and St. Paul’s United Church in Virden. She was a member of Wallace United Church prior to moving to Hargrave. She willingly participated in services and activities the church had and held various Board positions.
In addition to the churches, Joyce was an active volunteer in the community and a member of many organizations. Hargrave Cemetery is graced by a border of trees that Joyce planted (often multiple times) and watered faithfully until they were established. She was determined to see a fence put up and lobbied the local Councillor until it was built. Those who knew Joyce knew she was driven, direct and always found a way to get things done.
An active member with the Virden Agricultural Society for almost 30 years, Joyce was also a qualified judge for flowers, houseplants, fruits, vegetables, flower arrangements and photography. She attended many fairs and exhibitions throughout southwestern Manitoba judging.
Joyce also dedicated time to Centennial Housing, New Horizons, the Horticultural Society, the Art Club, Virden Community Arts Council and Costume Closet. Both she and Alvin were volunteers of Citizens on Patrol and were still patrolling well into their 70’s.
Joyce loved music. She took piano, organ, accordion, violin and ukelele lessons. She thoroughly enjoyed the musical entertainment provided at the Princess Lodge and the Sherwood Care Home and seldom missed a show.
She was also very creative and artistic. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, paper tole, ceramics, tatting, doll making, scrapbooking, and quilting. Every member of her family and most of her friends have in their possession articles made by Joyce. She was meticulous and didn’t settle until it was perfect in her mind.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Alvin, parents George and Irene Veldhouse, in-laws Gordon and Agnes Heaman, brothers and sisters in-law; Lyall Pateman, Emma and Bill Allison, Clifford and Bernice Heaman, John and Lilian Heaman, Lorna and Neil Rowan, Betty Heaman and nephew Eddie Rowan.
Left to mourn her passing are Marilyn Kinnear and her partner Calvin Dion (Carla, her partner Dez and Melvin), Gwen and Clayton Blodgett (Gordon and Claire), Norma and Stan Millar (Mike, wife Courtney, and children Seth, Abigail and Bailey), Brian and Sandy (Jonathan Lesyk and partner Beth), sister Evelyne (Gordon) Brennand, brother Harvey (Karen) Veldhouse, Walter Heaman, numerous nieces and nephews and many treasured friends.
Interment was held at Hargrave Cemetery on December 19, 2024. Active Pallbearers were Gordie Allison, Rea Kinnaird, Tyler Pateman, Tanner Pateman, Brian Collier and Mike Millar.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Memorial tributes in memory of Joyce, can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Diabetes Canada, or to Virden and Area Foundation.
Messages of condolence may be placed at www.carscaddenfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements in care of Carscadden Funeral Chapel.
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end
of my journey and I travel
my last weary mile,
just forget if you can,
that I ever frowned and
remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words
I have spoken,
remember some good
that I have done.
Forget that I ever
had heartache,
and remember that I’ve
also had fun.
Remember I have fought some
hard battles and won,
ere the close of the day,
then forget to grieve
for my going,
I would not have you sad
for a day,
but in summer just gather
some flowers and remember
the place where we lay,
and come in the shade
of evening when
the sun points
the sky in the west,
stand for a few moments
beside us and remember
only our best.
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