Obituary of Joyce Elizabeth Levy

It is with mixed feelings that we announce the passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Joyce Elizabeth Levy on September 28, 2023, at the age of 86, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Joyce was born on April 12, 1937, in Berwick, to the late Ira and Dora Parrish (Rafuse).

After finishing high school Mom attended Mack Business College, graduating in 1959. The training she received at “Mack” landed her a job she loved at the Registry of Deeds in Kentville. A short time later, while attending a community dance in Port Williams, she met the man who would later become her husband, Garnet Levy. Mom and Dad married in the spring of 1963 on May 25, and a few years later they welcomed their daughter, Holly. Mom was a loving, doting wife and mother who later gave up working to stay home to focus on raising Holly and care for their family home.

Mom was a quiet unimposing person who never wanted to be the center of attention. She took great pride in keeping a lovely, spotless home; and considered hanging laundry on the clothesline to be an art form. Mom enjoyed sewing and when I was a child, she lovingly made most of my clothes. She was hospitable and enjoyed having friends and family pop in for a visit especially so after Dad passed away in 2007. She had a great sense of humour and when somethings struck her funny, she enjoyed a good laugh. Mom loved animals and found comfort in having a cat or dog in the house. When it came to playing cards, especially Gin Rummy, mom remained unbeatable.

Mom as well as Dad dedicated their lives to Jehovah God as Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 7, 1967. Mom treasured the Bible’s promises about a beautiful future on a paradise earth where sickness and death will no longer exist and those who have died will be resurrected. (Psalms 37:11, 29; Acts 24:15). Both she and Dad consider it a privilege to share this hope with others and it is this assured hope that brought Mom comfort when Dad passed away.

It is with sincere gratitude that we want to thank the staff of Orchard Court Shannex, Kentville, for the excellent care provided to Mom during the years she lived there. The support and dedication shown to our family was never taken for granted and will always be appreciated. Many thanks to Dr. Target for his kindness and for always being so approachable.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Holly White; and two grandchildren, Sydney Hoover (Wesley) and Riley White.

Besides her husband and parents, Joyce was predeceased by brother, Harold Parrish; sister, Dorothy Saulnier; and a brother who died in infancy.

A Memorial Service will be held on October 21, 2023, at 2:00 pm, in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2 Baden Powell Drive, Kentville; and will be live-streamed using Zoom (Zoom connection ID #853 567 0048, Passcode: sunnyside). Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).