WATLING, JOYCE THERESA
Joyce Watling, wife of the late Lloyd A. Watling of Oromocto, NB, died on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at the Oromocto Public Hospital in Oromocto, NB. Joyce was born on June 2, 1924, in Sackville, NB. She was the daughter of C. Douglas and Belle (Cummings) Dickson.
Joyce is survived by her son Douglas (Kathryn Downe) Watling of Fredericton, NB.
She was predeceased by her sister Geraldine (Tom) Rogers of Windsor, Ontario.
Joyce graduated from Moncton High in 1941 and entered the Conservatory of Music at Mount Allison University. Already an accomplished singer (and pianist), Joyce won successive firsts at the New Brunswick Music Festival, performed in numerous productions, and toured the Maritimes. She was eventually invited to sing (and did) throughout Georgia, New York City and Washington, DC. A dramatic soprano, Joyce was offered an audition with the Metropolitan Opera, an invitation she declined.
Joyce married her husband, Lloyd, in 1947 and began a peripatetic life that led the couple to Germany, Churchill, Amherst, Kentville, Ottawa, and twice to Oromocto, where Lloyd became Mayor in 1969. During that time, Joyce sang in CBC productions, gave recitals, and performed in operettas and musical productions. She also found the time to host an interview program for CBC radio, co-found the Oromocto Monitor and launch Lyric Singers, a performing choir that she led for 25 years.
Joyce played an active role in local politics, campaigning in print and on foot for her beloved Liberals. She also devoted much time and energy to the Victorian Order of Nurses on both the local and national levels. In her later years, Joyce volunteered locally and spent her summers at the family cottage on Skiff Lake.
After moving to Ste. Anne’s Court in 2012, Joyce reinvented herself as a harmonica player and continued to play piano. Her family would like to thank the Ste. Anne’s Court staff and Wellness personnel for their kindness and care over the last three years.
A service in honour of Joyce will take place at the Oromocto Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2016. The Reverend Bob Jones will preside. Burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick.
Online condolences can be made at www.oromoctofh.com.