Obituary of Irene Joyce Pickard

Joyce Pickard passed away peacefully at Bruyère’s Saint-Vincent Hospital in Ottawa on June 19^th at the age of 93.

Born in Prescott on April 9^th 1931, Joyce was the daughter of Harold Whitney and Lottie (Foster). She was predeceased by her brother Bill Whitney and sister June (Stretton).

Both as a homemaker and as a healthcare professional, Joyce’s life was focused on the well-being of others, from her own family to the people of the community-at-large.

She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1952. In 1954, Joyce married her beloved husband Joseph Alfred Pickard, who survives her at the age of 94 after 70 years of marriage.

Joyce was the loving mother of the late Steven Pickard and mother-in-law to his wife Kelly (Monaghan); Jo Ann (Swanwick) and mother-in-law to her husband Steve; and, Bob Pickard.

The devoted grandmother of Christopher, Matthew, Kenton and Ava, Joyce was also a great-grandmother, to Zachary and Jessica.

Joyce was particularly proud of her decades of service – in several capacities – to the Riverside United Church, right from the start of the congregation’s formation during the 1960s. A Celebration of Life function in Joyce’s honour is being hosted by the church at 3191 Riverside Drive on Wednesday, July 3^rd at 7 p.m.

The Pickard family will be saying goodbye to Joyce at a private graveside gathering in Pinecrest Cemetery.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the many wonderful nurses and staff who provided her palliative care: donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to The Bruyère Foundation.