JOYCE MCFARLANE
Joyce Margaret McFarlane (nee King), passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, after a long and exceptionally graceful life. She was 100 years old. Joyce will be lovingly remembered by her children John McFarlane (Vicki Switzer), Denver, CO, Mary Lou (John) McHenry, Portage la Prairie, MB and Gordon (Barbara) McFarlane, Calgary, AB, and her grandchildren Adam Murray, (Mylène Gamache) Winnipeg, MB, Lindsay (Matthew) Carter, Calgary, AB, Sydney (Devin) Makinson, MacGregor, MB, Johnathan (Erika) McFarlane, Denver, CO, Jessica McFarlane (Erik Johnson), Glenwood Springs, CO, Christopher McFarlane, El Jebel, CO, Caroline Curtiss (Mike Walker), Lakewood, CO, Spencer (Samantha) Curtiss, Flower Mound, TX, Christine (John) Broadbent, Calgary, AB, Matthew McFarlane, Calgary, AB, Kaitlin McHenry (Jeff Belanger), Calgary, AB, Sean McHenry, Calgary, AB, and Mark (Amy) McHenry, Cumberland, BC, as well as great grandchildren Sophie, Stella, Everly, Adelaide, Gray, Wells, Soren, Mollie, Isla and Sedona. Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband of 60 years John, parents, William Stanley and Ella Margaret King, brother Gordon King and sister Mary Sutherland.
Joyce was born on January 9, 1926, in Winnipeg and lived there for the first 96 years of her eventful life. Mom grew up on Garfield Street in Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood and attended Laura Secord and Gordon Bell High Schools. From there the excitement never stopped as the Canoe Club, marriage to John, living on Leighton Avenue through the 1950 flood and the move to a new home on Ruttan Bay in Fort Garry all became milestones in Joyce’s life. Other highlights included fishing and boating at Ponemah Beach and then later Lake of the Woods at Clearwater Bay where she and John enjoyed both summer and winter fun.
Friends will remember the swim school that Mom and Mary Lou had in the backyard pool on Darcy Drive where many neighborhood children enjoyed learning to swim. Feeling the need to do more for others, Mom went back to school at 50 to become a nurse. Imagine the family’s surprise when we attended her graduation to discover Mom was awarded the Gold Medal! Mom was an active member of the St. Agnes Guild for over 25 years and was heavily involved in the management of Middlechurch Home where she spent several years as Chairman of the Board. Mom became a marathon runner in her middle years and won several Bonne Belle awards for her performances. And nobody could beat her in marathon blueberry picking where she would head off in the morning at Clearwater with her pails and bear bells and come back with enough berries for several pies. Add those to her famous roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinners and everyone would be singing her praises!
As Dad entered retirement, Joyce and John spent many wonderful winters as snowbirds in either Texas, Arizona or Florida where they had exciting adventures with their vast array of friends and family. Mom enjoyed traveling the world with John as they ventured to England, France, Australia and Kenya (which Mom would say was her favorite).
Mom cared for Dad at home until his Alzheimer’s disease perpetuated his need for personal care. After a couple of downsizing moves, she decided that it was time for assisted living, taking a suite at The Parkway. There she enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and as an active member of The Reh-Fit Centre she continued her passion for physical fitness.
In the last years of her life, Mom moved to Portage La Prairie to be closer to Mary Lou and John, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, living at Dufferin Villa, and more recently, Douglas Campbell Lodge.
All of our family would like to express our sincerest thanks to David and Susan Thorne and all her other friends who have been so very supportive through Mom’s journey. Mom recently celebrated her 100 birthday with friends and family, during which she opined that the secret to her longevity was to “not pussyfoot around, just put one foot in front to the other and keep on going”.
Special thanks to the staff of Douglas Campbell Lodge. Their care was exceptional and Mom established relationships where she could practice her wit and gentle teasing. This helped to keep staff smiling and, on their toes, creating moments of laughter and connection that will be remembered by all that knew her.
Mom would often say that she had no regrets and nothing to complain about and that she had lived the best life.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Douglas Campbell Lodge or The Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Tributes: www.thomsoninthepark.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026