BATE, JOYCE E. - Joyce Elma Bate of Saint John, wife of William H. (Bill) Bate, passed away on Monday, September 7th, 2009 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born at Ludlow on March 30th, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Everett and Gertrude (Hovey) Pond. Joyce was employed as the secretary at the Saint John School of Nursing for several years, retiring in 1987. She was an avid camper, and enjoyed her time spent in the summers at the campgrounds, late years at Harding's Point. She was a former member of St. Paul's (Valley) Church, and was a current member of the Anglican Parish of Millidgeville, where she belonged to the Quilter's Guild. Joyce was a kind and compassionate person, who was well loved by all who knew her, and her family and friends were always the centre of her life. In addition to her husband, Joyce is survived by her son, Michael John Bate (Janet) of Halifax; grandchildren, Adam Bate of North Bay, Ontario, Heidi Rodgers (John Calder), and Krista Rodgers, all of Halifax; a brother, Harold Pond (Florence) of Fredericton; sisters, Marie Scott (Keith) of Bloomfield and Doris Ward of Ludlow; several nieces and nephews, and many friends. Joyce was predeceased by her son, Paul David Bate in 1978; and by a brother, Amos Pond. Resting at The Church of St. John Baptist (Mission Church) and St. Clement, 815 Millidge Avenue, Saint John, with visiting on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 am from the church, with interment at a later date in St. James the Greater Cemetery, Ludlow. For those who wish, remembrances to the Building Fund of the Anglican Parish of Millidgeville would be appreciated by the family. The funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). www.brenansfh.com.