Obituary of Joyce Beck

Joyce Eleanora Broesky Beck, (nee Burnell) beloved mother of Joan (John), Kathy (Roger), Robert (Shelly), Joyce (Bill), Carol (Blaine), Nancy (Bruce), and Colleen (Nick), went to be with her Lord on February 20^th, in Winnipeg, Manitoba as a result of a fall that caused a serious head injury. She was predeceased by husbands Jake Broesky, Konrad Beck, her infant children James, Judith, and Jacob, as well as her great-grandson Cash Friesen.  She was also predeceased by her parents Bob and Eleanora Burnell, and siblings Edith, Gordon, Herb, Oscar, and Audrey. Left to mourn are her siblings, Lorraine, Francis, Ray, Ruth and Dorothy, as well as her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

Throughout her life, our mom had an unwavering faith in God and in the Lord Jesus. She loved Jesus, the Word of God, and would daily read her Bible and listen to sermons on TV.  One of her favorite verses was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have everlasting life.” Her life was marked by her conviction to forgive quickly and to not hold any grudges, but to walk in love. She daily thanked God for her warm bed, a roof over her head, and for her food to which she reminded us often as youngsters that we needed to eat all our food because there were starving children in Africa. 

Apart from her love for God was her love for her family and friends.

Our mom loved her family. She grew up as the oldest among 11 children. She loved spending time with her siblings and nieces and nephews, visiting with them, sharing memories, and attending family events. We are blessed to have many beautiful memories of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a very loving, giving, kind, generous, fun loving, private, and humorous woman who loved to be teased by her brothers, son, and sons in laws. Her quick witt and funny responses would would often surprise us as she was not to be outdone by them. She absolutely loved her children and was very thoughtful and caring towards us. We would regularly talk to her and spend time with her. One of her favorite things to do was to go to McDonalds with her children or grandchildren or to shop at Dollarama. She so loved shopping at Dollarama we nicknamed her “DollarMama.” Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She so enjoyed spending time with them, or watching the little ones play. She daily prayed for her grandchildren and the great grandchildren that haven't been born yet. 

She was incredibly friendly and endeared herself to many random strangers so much so, that one time after her pedicure, the manicurist just had to give her a hug. Other strangers, whom she had randomly met, would invite her for dinner and introduce her to their families. Every where she went she would strike up conversations with total strangers. Her favorite place to go walking on Saturdays was St. Vital Mall. When walking with her, it was surprising how many mall employees would know her and say hi. She also loved her friends dearly and would call them regularly. People were like sunshine to her soul and water to her spirit. People made her happy. 

She was young hearted and was never too old to learn new things. Although most of her life she was a stay at home mom, in her 60's, she learned how to work and care for adults with special needs. In her 70's, she learned how to use the computer and work in an office. She also took training to be a volunteer in Hospice Care. In her late 80's, she learned how to face time, text, and zoom. We were all so proud of the way she embraced each new learning adventure.

Mom/Joyce will be sadly missed. Due to Covid restrictions, there will be a graveside service for her with only her children in attendance.