In Memory Of

Joyce Lavara Brown

Apr 16, 1937 - Mar 8, 2026

Service

Thursday, March 19, 2026
1:00 pm
Lou Soppit Community Centre
5406-48 street
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

Obituary

It is with great sadness the family of Joyce Brown announce her passing on March 8th, 2026, at Rocky Mountain House Health Center after a brief illness. Joyce Lavara Brown was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta on April 16th, 1937, to her parents Lillie & William Winslow. She grew up on the family farm near Ponoka where she attended Dakota School.
Joyce and Alvin were married on July 21st, 1956, at the Dakota United Church. As newlyweds they lived in Rocky Mountain House before moving to their farm off Tiami Road. They raised cattle, horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats. They moved back to the original Brown Homestead in the Fall of 2013, where she lived until moving to Westview Lodge in 2023.
Joyce was an avid horse lover participating in many Gymkhana and Rocky Light Horse Association events through the years on her horse Derby. Most notably, she participated in the Centennial Trail Ride from Rocky to the Calgary Stampede in 1967. This was a 6-day journey where they were met by the Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal, Roy Rogers, who led them through the parade.
Joyce was a passionate member of the Rocky Museum for the past 30 years helping with many fundraising efforts, pancake breakfasts, music jams, and board meetings. Her final museum efforts saw the relocation of the Brown Family Home from the original homestead to the Museum yard where it was restored to its original form.
Joyce loved music and continued to play the piano for her neighbors at Westview Lodge until her passing. Her morning music sessions will surely be missed. She also loved playing cribbage with her friends and family. She was not above pegging a few extra points if she thought her opponent would not notice. She was happy to play some of her final crib games against her great granddaughter, Jordyn as she enjoyed having another generation to share her love of crib.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Bill (Arlene), John (Linda), Hazel, and Karen (Gary), her grandchildren Jeremy (Amanda), Lisa (David), Sarah (Morgan), and Emily (Skylar), and her great granddaughter Jordyn. She is also survived by her brother Raymond (Nettie) Winslow and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Alvin in 2017, her parents William and Lillie, mother-in-law Edna, and many lifelong friends.
A memorial service for Joyce will take place on March 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Lou Soppit Community Center. A light lunch will be provided following the service. Memorial donations may be made in Joyce’s name to the Rocky Museum.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Westview Lodge and Rocky Mountain House Health Center for their care and compassion over recent years.

Condolences

Chris:

I had the privilege of meeting Joyce through work. Throughout the years, we would have pleasant chit-chats about whatever was going on at the time and shared smiles. So sorry to hear about her passing and my sincere condolences.

Dawn&Donn Mason / Meryl&Ernest Campbell:

Thinking of you all at this especially difficult time; Joyce and Alvin&family were long time neighbors and her community involvement was immeasurable. She and her many talents will be sorely missed by so many.

Stan & Brenda Nicolay:

Our sincere condolences to all of Joyce’s family! She was a beautiful soul that will be greatly missed within the community!

Don and Darlene Jackson:

We are sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. She was always so full of life and kindness. We are sure she is looking down on her family and friends. Creating beautiful music and riding everyday.
Our sincere condolences to the whole family.

Marjorie Chambers:

So sorry to hear of Joyce's passing. My thoughts and prayers to all the family. Joyce was part of the family as her and my mother Hazel Chambers were like sisters and supported each other to the end. RIP Joyce you are always in my thougths. You will be greatly missed by so many.

Dorothy & Robert Lambert & Judith Lambert:

It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of Joyce. Judith and Joyce became life long penpals when they began writing to one another both aged around 14. Judith recalls the initiative of writing to pupils overseas being arranged by her School and the two of them have corresponded ever since. Judith was fortunate enough to meet up with Joyce both in Canada and here in the UK and often speaks of the happy times she spent travelling to Schools with Joyce and attending many family gatherings, weaner roasts etc when she was in Canada. We are sending our love and prayers to all of the family and we will be thinking of you all on Thursday. Sleep well Joyce. x

Barb Tristrand (nee Gabert):

So many memories. Keep going to the pic from the 100 yr family reunion - Joyce holding niece #2... the oldest and youngest in attendance. Her music making was part of many family gatherings - an offering of her time/skill/gift to spread joy and celebrate life. Her love of family and community and dedication to being active not just an observer have built her legacy that lives on. Thoughts are with the family through this time.

Dale Withers:

Her's was the first wedding I remember attending. I was 4. I only had 3 cousins and I'll miss her and our cribbage games. My condolences and prayers

Barb McNair:

I first met Joyce when the Visions West Outreach opened at the original museum. From the first moment I met Joyce I could tell she was a “straight shooter”. She was one to be reckoned with, but she also had just a very soft heart of gold. I saw her almost every day and we always shared a smile and a laugh. I remember well Joyce playing the piano with gusto and getting everyone to participate in the sing-along’s at the museum’s annual Christmas banquet. Joyce was someone I deeply respected, and I will miss greeting her around town. She was a true lady that will be truly missed. Condolences to all of Joyce’s family. We loved her too.

Anna Bertagnolli:

I’m saddened to hear of Joyce’s passing. I had the honour of knowing her and working with her for many years. She was the last of the original museum pioneers who, together came up with a vision to start the old museum. Forty years on, Joyce still kept their visions alive in the new museum. She never stopped working to make the museum a place of historical value and preservation and was still actively involved right up until the end. Her contributions and years of dedication resulted in what today is a beautiful museum that unites Rocky’s past with its future. Joyce was forthright and always said it like it was and there was no misunderstanding in what she meant. She had a sense of humour and shared many stories and her knowledge of the past came in handy many times. Her generosity was evident in her baking, visiting sick friends and playing the piano for appreciative audiences. She was a remnant of the old fashioned ways and believed that hard work and perseverance is how you got things done, something to be admired. She will be greatly missed but her presence will be forever felt. My heartfelt condolences to her family and your shared memories will keep Joyce forever a part of your lives. Happy trails, Joyce.

Dave and Debra Jackson:

Condolences to the Brown family. Joyce was a vibrant member of our rural community.
She shared her music and friendship with everyone. A very special person.
Dave and Debra

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