Obituary of The Rev. M. Joyce Perry

It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of The Rev. M. Joyce Perry at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECH) in the early hours of Saturday, April 22nd, 2023. Born on August 19th, 1945 in Stanley, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of the late Earle and Beatrice (Kerr) Humble.

Joyce will be missed by her loving husband of 52 years, Sel Perry; son, Andrew Perry (Fernand Daigle); daughter, Stephanie Milbury, and granddaughters, Kate and Jenna Milbury; daughter, Megan Arkell Paxton (Owen), granddaughter, Kirsten Anderson, and great grandchild Scarlett; chosen children, Tanya Roy and Scott Milbury; siblings, Clifford Humble (Blanche), Terry Humble (Wanda), Sharon McKeen (Dean), Ivan Humble (Bonnie), Paul Humble (Faye), and Robert Humble (Velvet); many friends including, Cathy Butler, Kerry and Linda Wolstenholme, and Mary Lou McCann, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her granddaughter, Corrie Arkell.

Joyce was an intellect, an excellent student, and loved learning. She followed this love of learning into an early career in teaching. After meeting Sel, she chose to become a stay at home mother to Andrew and Stephanie. Over the course of her life she became a loving caregiver for many of the neighbourhood children. In her late 40’s she decided to challenge herself and returned to school, pursuing and receiving her gerontology degree from St. Thomas University in 1993.

Christian faith was an integral part of Joyce's life. She followed this calling to be ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church in 2006 and served as the Rev. Deacon at Christ Church (Parish) Church for many years. During her tenure, she contributed largely to the church and fostered relationships within the community with her home visits. She touched the lives of many through her services to others. One of her last projects as acting Deacon was the "Little Library"  that sits outside the church for community members to enjoy the love of reading, just as she did. The "Little Library" is still thriving today. Her compassion towards helping others through her faith was evident in her work as Chaplain at the DECH, and communion services she led at various nursing homes. She retired from the ministry in the summer of 2018.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her cooking was second only to her baking (who can forget her chocolate cake with boiled icing often made for Stephanie’s Birthday). She was an avid seamstress, knitter, and quilter, but above all things she loved to read. She passed this love to Kate and Jenna, by reading with them every chance she got, whether in person or through FaceTime. She was so proud of her family, and she will be terribly missed.

A sincere thank you, first and foremost, to Vicki Mazerolle for her constant care, love and support over the last few years. Your patience and kind heart made such a difference. Thank you also to the staff of 4SE & 4E at the DECH for providing such comfort and care to Joyce and her family over the last several weeks.

A visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Monday, April 24th, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. A Requiem Eucharist and Funeral Service will be celebrated at Christ Church (Parish) Church on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at 2:00 pm, with The Ven. Wandlyn Snelgrove and The Ven. John Sharpe as celebrants. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/3339508. Interment will take place at St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery at a later date.

If you wish to honour Joyce’s memory, the family suggests you do as she has done in life. Her ministry of presence and visitation was not only important, but a necessity. So many people were blessed to benefit from her gifts. Take time to have a meal, share a laugh, and enjoy the company of friends and family. This is how her legacy will live on.

Memorial donations to the Christ Church (Parish) Church Under One Roof Fund in Joyce’s name would be appreciated by the family.