Joyce Gardiner

Joyce Marie (MacDonald) Gardiner, age 84, passed peacefully at the Aberdeen Hospital on March 18. In spite of recent visitor restrictions, her loving family was by her side during her final hours. 

Born in Inverness on October 21, 1935, she spent her childhood in North Sydney. Years spent in Toronto, Halifax and eventually New Glasgow, where she retired with her husband in 1994, didn’t knock the Cape Bretoner out of her. Joyce always loved company, a hot cup of tea and an affectionate hug or cheek squeeze. She was also tough as nails.

She is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Gardiner; daughters, Maureen MacIvor of Little Harbour and Paula Gardiner of Dartmouth; grandchildren, Melissa MacIvor (Brad Holmes) of Edmonton, Angela MacIvor (Jeff Gill), Megan Clarke (Nick) and Dylan MacDonald (Alyson Clayton); great grandchildren, Chloe, Harley, Isabella, Adalynn, Isla, Kensley, Declan; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents, Hugh R. MacDonald, Mary Meech; brothers, Hugh and Jude; sisters, Theresa and Ann Barbara.

For Joyce, family always came first. She was the glue that kept everyone together on holidays and made sure the food on the table was always the best quality! She really was the life of the party and never forgot a face. Chances are if you met her, you didn’t forget her either. 

A true caregiver at heart, she worked as a personal care worker at Glen Haven Manor and Northwood Manor. In later years, she proudly doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to sincerely thank all of the heart specialists at the QEII Infirmary who moved mountains to make her surgery possible last November, and to the doctors who followed her care when she returned to New Glasgow. 

She will be dearly missed. Due to current restrictions, there will be no visitation and a Catholic funeral service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you be kind to each other and help those in a vulnerable state during these difficult times. Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow.

Funeral mass took place Friday, August 20, 2021.