Helen Joyce "Joy" Robley, Durham, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Feb. 28 in the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro at the age of 89.
Born on May 5, 1925, Joy grew up in Mt. Thom, daughter of the late Charles and Muriel (MacRae) Maxwell.
She enjoyed skiing to Mt. Thom school in the winter and playing with the lambs on their farm in the summer.
A move to Truro to attend high school led to an interest in joining the Air Force where she became a wireless operator.
At the close of the Second World War, she attended the Normal College in Truro to become a teacher.
Her marriage to Harold Robley brought her to live on the family farm in Durham.
She was a dedicated member of West River Presbyterian Church in Durham where her strong alto voice could be heard every Sunday morning.
She was an active member of the Ladies Guild and the Atlantic Missionary Society.
She taught in many one-room schools in this area, finishing her career at West Pictou Consolidated.
She was a proud co-writer of “Slates to Computer,” an account of the one-room schools closed when the children were bussed to West Pictou Consolidated.
During her retirement, she joined the Legion Choir where she shared her alto voice with many.
Joy enjoyed travelling across Canada to visit friends and relatives as well as a few trips to the sunny south.
Joy will be lovingly missed by her son Greg (Ann) Durham, and daughter Diane Hampton (Fred), Salt Springs; her grandchildren, Sherri(Brian Hart), California; Kirk (Allison) Robley, Scotsburn; Shane (Katy) Hampton, Salt Springs; and Amanda (Matthew Fleming), Lower Sackville.
Her memory will be kept alive in the stories told to her eight grandchildren whom she loved dearly – Rowan and Siena Hart, Alex and Seth Robley, Will and Sam Hampton, Finley and Cooper Fleming.
She will be missed by sisters-in-law, Claire Maxwell, Sybil Higgins (Fred Auld) and Elva (Harold) Smith; brother-in-law Waldo (late Marilyn) Robley, many nieces and nephews as well as dear friends Jean Fraser and Valda Keller.
Besides her parents, Joy was predeceased by her husband, Harold; her brothers Laurie Maxwell and Ross Higgins; brother-in-law Jack (Donna); sisters-in-law Ollie (Borden Douglas), and Evelyn (Murdock Campbell).
Visitation will be held in Eagles Funeral Home, Westville on Tuesday, March 3 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral service will be held in West River Presbyterian Church, Durham on Wednesday, March 4 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Norman Marple.
Reception to follow in church hall.
Family flowers only.
Donations in Joy's memory can be made to the West River Presbyterian Church, Durham or the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital.
The family would like to thank the staff of 2E of the Colchester hospital for their care and compassion. Thank you also goes to the staff of Parkland Fergus Hall, Truro for making Mom feel welcome during her short time with them. www.eaglesfuneralhome.ca