Obituary of Joyce Hollie MARTIN

February 7, 1949 – Calgary, Alberta December 14, 2016 – Calgary, Alberta Joyce, beloved wife of David Leigh Martin of Airdrie, passed away peacefully on December 14th, 2016 at the age of 67 years after a long battle with Scleroderma. Joyce was born in Calgary to David and Muriel Cooke and graduated from Crescent Heights High School. She completed her B.Ed. from the University of Calgary. Joyce lived her life for her family. She gave up her career in teaching to stay home with her children as she felt she needed to be there whenever they came home. She had a great love of music. As a piano teacher, she passed that love onto her students and to her children and grandchildren. Joyce worked as a health advocate and was passionate about helping people to quit smoking. She worked with Smoke Free Medicine Hat to pass the smoking by-law and was part of a very small group who advocated for the smoking by-law in St. Albert. Joyce was an avid writer with pen pals around the world. She started writing her first pen-pal, Vonna 57 years ago. Some of these pen pals became more like sisters: Janet (England), Vonna (Halifax), Cheryl (Chicago) and Sheila (Australia) . Her family would like to thank the staff of Peter Lougheed Hospital Emergency Unit and Unit 29 for the care and compassion they showed to Joyce and her family during her final days. Joyce passed peacefully holding hands with the love of her life and surrounded by her children. Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, David Leigh Martin and her children Stephen (Lesa) of Calgary, David of Medicine Hat and Loralee of Calgary. She is also survived by her two beautiful grandchildren Colby and Brooklyn of Medicine Hat and her brother Brian Cooke (Pearl) of Calgary. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES (Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive) on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 2:00 pm. There will be a spring celebration of life for those who can not make it during this busy time of year. In living memory of Joyce Martin, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: 403-948-1100 In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Joyce’s name to the Scleroderma Foundation of Canada. Though Scleroderma may have taken her life, it did not define her life. Love did.