
Left to cherish her memory are: loving husband Jack; daughter Terry Maxwell (Dawn, Sheri-Lyn, Jacquie and Ryan); son Jeff Maxwell and wife Alison (Kristin, Trinda); daughter-in-law Lori Maxwell (Angela, Megan, Gerrit); step-son Gerrit Maxwell and wife Els (Gerrit Jr and Réne) of the Netherlands; step-daughter Teri Gartner and husband Mike (Joel); stepson Dean Keating and wife Debbie (Chad, Drew); brother Jeff Jopp (Velma) of Estevan. Joyce also leaves 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Ross; brothers, Jim and Jack.
Joyce was born in Kaleida MB to Charles and Myrtle Jopp (Galbraith). The family moved to Snowflake MB. She married Boyd Maxwell in 1947 and they had three children—Terry, Jeff, and Ross. She entered nurses training in 1965, and while living in Manitou nursed there until 1974. When the marriage ended in divorce she relocated to Winnipeg. She started nursing at St. Boniface Hospital working there until retirement. Joyce received Nurse of the Year Award in 1984 from St. Boniface Hospital which made her very proud of her years of service to a profession she loved.
In 1988 Joyce retired and married Jack Keating the same year. They had a happy life together travelling extensively through Canada and United States for a few years with their travel trailer, covering every province and state, except Alaska and Hawaii. They purchased a “place in the sun” in Mesa AZ in 1990 and were able to spend six months every winter for 14 years. Many friendships were formed and have endured through the years.
In 1992 they moved to Carman MB. They loved the rural life, both having come from small towns. They made many friends on and off the golf course, and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their home. Joyce loved her flower beds. Knitting, ceramics, bead work, oil painting and reading were other hobbies. But her home was her “castle”. Joyce was always cleaning, decorating and changing things around, enjoying every minute of it. Her life was full and happy and she was very content. What more could one ask for at the end of the trail than to love and be loved in return?
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 23 at Carman Pentecostal Church (Hwy 3 east of Carman) with Rev. Kenyon officiating. All attendees must be fully vaccinated and wear a mask. Interment of ashes in Greenwood Cemetery, Carman. Memorial donations may be made to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, 409 Tache Ave. C1026, Winnipeg MB R2H 2A6. Special thanks to hospital staff at Boundary Trails.