Burton, Joyce (nee Newton)

Burton, Joyce (nee Newton)

Born September 15, 1941 in Bellevue, Alberta. Died July 22, 2016 in Strathmore, Alberta. Joyce was previously deceased by her parents, Herbert and Telene Newton, brother Joe (Rose), brother Alfred “Babe” (Jo), sister Madeline and brother-in-law Rick Petrone. Joyce was happiest when involved with her children and grandchildren, whether it was teaching them to ride horses, watching them curl, watching them play ball, listening to their piano recitals, watching their plays or Christmas concerts, playing pass-the-ace, grandchildren teaching her to text on her iPhone or teaching her how to use her computer, or just spending time together. Joyce was an avid and accomplished horsewoman, winning numerous competitions including Grand Champion for Endurance Riding. She loved the acreage that she and Dan had lived on and the work that came with it too. They had five horses over the years and they were her passion. She loved everything about her horses, Coal, Spring, Drifter, Charro, and Wynter, whether it was brushing them, riding them or even raking up their poop, she just couldn’t get enough of them. She enjoyed many sports during her lifetime. She was a competitive curler, curling coach and instructor, a competitive fastball player, an accomplished dancer (even dancing on tv in her younger days), competitive bowler, bike rider, tennis player, dart player, and enjoyed shuffleboard and fly fishing in her younger days with her dad. She loved to watch golf on TV and she was also an avid fan of hockey. I am not sure there is anyone that knew more about the game, the players, the stats, the schedule, or who watched more games than she did. Joyce also loved to play cards and games, but bridge was her favourite. She enjoyed playing every chance she could. She taught many people how to play over the years and encouraged everyone to play as often as they could. She could always be counted on to ask any new friends or acquaintances that she met, do you play bridge? Joyce had a fantastic sense of humour and could banter with the best of them. She loved to play pranks and was a good sport when a prank was played on her. Of course, over the years during many curling bonspiels you could always count on at least one short sheeted bed, spiders in your toilet paper, the sleeves of your shirts might be sewn closed or on Sammy the snake showing up in the most unlikely of places, like hot tubs, in your bed or even in between the curling rocks on a sheet of curling ice during a competition. Joyce had a sense of adventure too. When asked many years ago to fill in for a friend to drive a pilot car up the Alaska Highway and then up the Dempster Highway to within 9 miles of the Arctic Circle, she of course said yes. On that trip there was a terrible accident with one of the trucks ahead of her. Joyce stayed through the night by the side of a young man who had been gravely injured in the accident, helping to keep the young man alive. Joyce was an animal lover, through and through. Over the years many dogs and cats and even a budgie would come to know her gentle ways. She rescued five cats: Sam, Patches, Rio, Tigger and Max, and five dogs: Shadow, Whiskey, Brandy, Baby & Mandy. There wasn’t a horse, dog or cat that Joyce couldn’t pet or get up to. She was truly an animal whisperer. Joyce was an advocate for the underdog and she wasn’t afraid to go after the big wigs on city councils, and in provincial government when it came to trying to save natural sand dunes and pristine areas of land in Alberta. Joyce loved going to movies, a pastime that she had since she was a little girl. She especially loved the Star Wars and Star Trek series of movies, a passion she shared with her grandson. Joyce was an active volunteer, whether it was the Senior Summer Games, curling executives, curling provincials, fastball organizations, bridge clubs, senior centre activities, Search and Rescue, figure skating club, service clubs, schools, teaching and coaching ball, curling, horseback riding. Joyce was not one to back down from a fight, unfortunately for her she had to fight most of her life with rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and lately AFib, breast cancer, and finally rare liver cancer. She put up a valiant battle for a long time. She is finally pain free. Joyce leaves behind her husband of 54 years Daniel “Dan”, daughters Lorelei Garnett (Jack), & Adele Davidson (Darcey), granddaughter Ashten Garnett, grandson Scott Garnett (partner Jacqueline) granddaughters Carly Davidson & Cassidy Davidson, grandpuppies Abby & Charlie, sister Lillian Petrone, brother John Newton (Sharon), several nieces and nephews and many friends. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the acute care staff and Dr. Manocha at the Strathmore Hospital for the exceptional care during Joyce’s final days. And to Dr. Maria Muller for the compassionate care Joyce has received over the years. At the request of the deceased there will be no service or funeral. In lieu of flowers or cards please make a donation to Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (Bay G 3851-21 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6T5). To send condolences, please visit Joyce’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca