Thursday, January 19, 2023
I met Joy almost 30 yrs ago in Cambridge when we volunteered at Heritage Cambridge. Our friendship was special to me and her loss is devastating. I greatly admired her career as a planner, and her work in the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources. Interestingly, I became Ontario's Minister of MNRF a week before she retired. Her advice and encouragement in my own career was so appreciated. We laughed about both of us ending up at MNRF, and the challenges of being a woman in Leadership. Her professionalism, passion and commitment to her work in caring for the environment was with her to the end of her journey in this world. Our last communication on Dec 5 was regarding her letter and her activism against the devastation she felt Bill 23 (developing part of the Greenbelt) would cause. It was so hard to believe she was gone 5 days later. Through our heart to heart talks, I know how much she cared for her family, for Ferris and granddaughter Charlotte and delighted in her visits with them. Her friends became family, she placed a high value on her relationships and so appreciated all the care, love, prayers and encouragement she received during her battle with cancer. When I visited her in Perth in August, she was facing each challenge with grace and determination. She was also pragmatic, knowing she may lose her battle. Thank you Glen, for keeping so many of us up to date during her illness. My love and thoughts are with Joy's family and friends. I will remember Joy with fondness and cherish the memories I have of her.
