Georgina
November 19, 2008 05:18 PM
David Waite
Walking slowly and carefully along High Street sidewalk in the heat of the summer sun, water pail in one hand and gloves and trowel in the other, Evelyn Joyce was doing her usual thing — choosing something to do every day.
Her distinctive pink baseball hat became her signature trademark, where its bright beacon glimmered in contrast to her quiet ways, friendly chuckle and wise word.
Ms Joyce is walking a new path.
She died Nov. 5.
She was 93 and still spry, game for anything and know up and down High Street as the friendly blue box retriever, weed-picker and walnut scooper.
Remarkably, she was able to chuckle about a recent fall near the walnut tree, waving to passing traffic with cane in hand, none of which stopped.
She realized later that passers-by likely thought she was resting and waving her usual friendly wave.
Her dining room table was tidily cluttered with mail from Shannonville, Quebec, her hometown, and greeting cards she kept on hand for any occasion.
At age 93, she ventured forth — alone — on a bus trip to Shannonville to see her two remaining sisters.
When determined, she was in action.
Ms Joyce’s gardens were always cheerful and colourful, and her house and lot as tidy as a pin.
She could not say enough about John, who cut her grass and tended the gardens.
She frequently was out with long-time dear friend Emmilene Brown to pay a bill, have coffee and lunch at The Anchor, later to watch the baseball game or more importantly, Bob Barker.
Ms Joyce’s span began with the First World War and progressed on up into the computer age, having sold flower seeds as a young girl in Quebec, toiling as a scullery maid in Toronto, working a farm and operating a kennel east of Egypt.
We will remember her healthy, bright complexion, her cheerful greeting and her sparkling blue eyes.
Ms Joyce was a lady of grace and poise, old school manners and solid character.
She lived her qualities and remained faithful to them.
We will miss her deeply — the lady in the pink hat.