UPDATED WITH SERVICE INFORMATION

Joyce Bayla Stevenson (Katz) passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025, at the young age of 69 with her husband, daughter, and son by her side.

Joyce was born to Shirley and Abe Katz on November 24, 1955. Joyce and her brother, David, lived in Guernsey, Lanigan, and Prince Albert. Abe passed away in 1962 and Shirley, Joyce and David returned to Lanigan. Joyce’s family grew in 1973 when Shirley married Andy Anderson, and they formed a blended family with her new siblings, Pamela, Laurel, Andrea, Rory, and Edward Scott. Joyce and her brother David and his wife Karen were always close, and their families still share a cabin at Candle Lake.

Everyone who knew Joyce recognized how smart she was and her love for music. She was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class and went on to the University of Regina to study music education, graduating with great distinction, which led to her career as a teacher. Her dad, Abe, was a band conductor and violinist who instilled a love of music in Joyce. She was an accomplished pianist, completing her Piano Performer diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She also had an amazing singing voice with perfect pitch. Joyce played and taught music her entire life, passing her passion on to her children and grandchildren.

Shirley instilled a love of travel and sense of adventure in Joyce. Shirley took her and her brother to Europe when she was a teenager and Joyce continued to enjoy travel for the rest of her life. Joyce travelled six continents, on her own, with friends, and eventually with her husband, Dan and their children and grandchildren. Joyce and Dan travelled to Costa Rica every year after retirement up until this winter with their friends Leona and Henry.

Joyce and Dan Stevenson eloped in 1979 to Vernon, BC. They started their new life together by travelling for two years, before settling down in Prince Albert. Joyce and Dan both got jobs as teachers in the city where they both taught for 30 years. Joyce primarily taught elementary and junior high. She was an accomplished classroom music teacher and band instructor. Joyce was passionate about bringing new musical opportunities to her students, highlighted by her determination to fundraise and develop a hand bell program for her first school. This was the first program of its kind in Prince Albert and throughout the years Joyce led performances of both band and hand bells around the city and province. Joyce was also a choir conductor, piano teacher and was heavily involved with the music at her church.

Joyce passed along her love of music to her children, Danielle and Joel. From a young age, Danielle and Joel began playing piano, violin, and learning and listening to all different forms of music.  Joyce was selfless in giving her children opportunities. One example of this was the many trips to Saskatoon on weeknights for Danielle to get violin lessons. Joyce and Dan also introduced Danielle and Joel to travel and adventure. Many family trips, tenting, hiking, going to the cabin at Candle Lake, cross country skiing, and traveling to BC, Australia, and Costa Rica as a family. Joyce’s enjoyment of music, the arts, travel, and adventure are also being passed down to her five grandchildren.

Joyce loved being a grandmother. Gigi, as the kids began calling her when they were little and it permanently stuck. Joyce loved listening to them play piano, watching them play sports, attending their activities and performances, but mostly just spending time with them at home in PA, at the lake, or on some of the many trips the family took together. Joyce loved her two granddaughters, Lauren and Annabelle, and three grandsons, Walter, Samuel, and Mickey. They all loved her so much and will always remember their Gigi.

Last spring, Joyce and the family got heartbreaking news that she was sick. Joyce was a pillar of strength this last year even during the worst times. She persevered and made so many memories with friends, Dan, family, and most importantly to her, the grandkids.

Throughout her life, Joyce was always a source of strength and was admired by many. She formed so many great friendships that she maintained and treasured right until the end.

Her loss leaves a hole in her family that will be filled with the many memories created and all the lessons Joyce taught.

We love you, Gigi.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 45 years, Dan; her daughter, Danielle (Riley) Woodman and grandchildren Lauren, Walter and Mickey; and her son Joel (Maggie) Stevenson, and grandchildren Samuel and Annabelle.

She is also survived by her brother David (Karen), their family, the Anderson family, the Stevenson family, extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Joyce’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2025, at Calvary United Church 114 25th Street East Prince Albert, SK. For those unable to attend, a link to the service recording will be provided here once available. In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Joyce may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Suite 300 – 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M4V 2Y7.  Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit http://www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK  306-763-3322.

 

• Date : 2025-02-20
• Location : Prince Albert, SK