Joyce Cecile Foster

We are saddened to announce that our mother, grandma, sister, mother-in-law, aunt, and friend, Joyce Foster passed away peacefully, the evening of May 25th, 2026; exactly one month after her 88th birthday.

Left to cherish this remarkable woman’s legacy are sister Willa Graham, children Allen (Lori), and Cecile (Richard), grandchildren Ethan (Lauren), Avery (Tori), Marika, and Alexander, sister-in-law Coleen Todd, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was pre-deceased by her husband John Ross Foster, parents Cecil and Sadie Wilson, sister Myrna Mae Wilson, parents-in-law Byron and Annie Foster, sister-in-law Mollie Parakin and brother-in-law, Billie Foster.

To summarize our mom’s life and incredible impact on others, is difficult at best. Born and raised in Gladstone, she was a woman far ahead of her time, eventually obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree and teaching certification from the University of Manitoba in 1959. Her love of learning was passed on to countless numbers of students as a teacher, coach, and mentor. Her teaching career took her to Dauphin, Gladstone, and later in Arden. She was a beloved life coach for adults with developmental delays. She had a natural gift for teaching – making it fun and connecting with her pupils and always making them feel special.

In 1961, she married our dad, Ross and in 1964 they purchased the Foster family farm in the Keyes district. It was there they raised their 2 children, Allen and Cecile while jointly growing the family farm. During our formative years, our mom put her professional career on a temporary hold to focus on her family and farm. Being a town girl didn’t stop her from learning to milk cows and drive tractors pulling combines. Mom was hard working, persistent and had grit. That approach applied to every day of her life. Our mom was always thinking about and caring for others before herself.

She was a passionate advocate for her community and its’ people. She had a strong sense of civic duty. Her acts of service were numerous. She participated in many Keyes district and town of Gladstone committees and events, including serving on the Gladstone Music and Arts Festival, singing in various community choirs, leading and teaching Sunday school, serving on various committees with the United Church, volunteering for the local history book committee and the Gladstone Museum. She was always a smiling and encouraging presence at almost every community event.

Our mom did have many personal pursuits as well. Music was always very important to mom – almost all genres of music she loved to listen to and watch live. She loved to sing, play piano and participate in choirs. She loved caring for her many pets; cats, dogs, horses, cows, and birds. She loved to garden - veggies and flowers; was an accomplished curler; loved reading and literature; loved to take long walks; loved listening to CBC and being informed; loved nature and the farm and in later years, loved rowing her prized row-boat at Sandy Lake where Mom and Dad had their cottage.

While she found fulfillment and joy in all activities, family was always our mom’s top priority. She was a dedicated grandmother and looked after many family members over the years. She loved hearing about and witnessing the academic, artistic, and professional accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and families. She was always engaged and loved lively conversations, activities, and get-togethers that involved her beloved family. She also had many friends – she cherished old friends by staying in touch and made new friends easily.

Despite her brilliant and vibrant life, dementia would eventually play a cruel hand in our mom’s last years. With that in mind, the family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff at Third Crossing Personal Care Home who provided loving care for our mother in her final years.

We would also like to thank the Gladstone Home Care staff and a special thanks to our parents’ neighbours in Gladstone, Rita Spek-Robidoux and Louis Robidoux, Helen Fehr and Karen Lemky for the support and compassion they had for mom.