Marion Joyce McMullen, 94, of Glen Haven Manor and formerly of Grandview Avenue, Trenton, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025 at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, NS. Born in the family home on Ellis Street, New Glasgow, Joyce was the daughter of the late Arthur and Dorothy (Matthews) Hambleton.
Joyce worked as a switchboard operator at Maritime Tel and Tel as a young adult. She moved to Trenton in 1950 where she lived until 2025. Joyce balanced full-time motherhood with bowling, night courses, badminton, dancing, card club, and the Naomi Unit at First United Church in Trenton. She returned to work in 1974 at Hawker Siddley/Trenton Works and camped during the summer weekends. Joyce later worked at the Pictou County School Board. Neighbors were witness to her active life, seeing golf clubs, downhill skis, a bicycle or canoe paddles being loaded in her car. Sunny summer days were spent at Melmerby Beach while winter would find Joyce skating at the Trenton Rink and cross-country skiing in the Trenton Park.
Trips with her sister Shirley included India, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Scotland, England, Holland, Ecuador, the Caribbean and Argentina. She also shared her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on various adventures and her sense of humour will be remembered.
Family members benefited from Joyce’s ability to sew, knit, crochet and quilt. Joyce loved flowers and gardening which was reflected in her colorful backyard and flower cart.
Survived by her daughters: Lynn (Raymond) Walsh, Barbara McMullen and Natalie (Alonzo) Allain; sister Shirley Howes; daughter-in-law Lesley McMullen; seven grandchildren: Darcy Walsh, Andrew (Ashley) Walsh, Tasha (Adam) House, Heather (Mike) Haines, John McMullen, Megan (Robert) LeCreux and Jason Allain; nine great-grandchildren Riley Walsh, Madison (Eli) Read, Olivia Walsh, Cassidy Walsh, Dakota Walsh, Lauren Erdeg, Rachael Haines, Jacob Haines and Isabelle Haines, and several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents Arthur and Dorothy (Matthews) Hambleton, stepmother Margaret (MacPherson) Hambleton; husband Elmer McMullen; son Gary McMullen; seven siblings, E. Stella MacKenzie Irving; A. Leslie Hambleton; John Hambleton; Dorothy M. Hambleton; Douglas Hambleton; Jean Abbass; Harold Hambleton and great grand-daughter Abigail Walsh.
Visitation will be held 1:00-1:50pm Thursday at R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Avenue, New Glasgow, followed by a memorial service at 2pm at the Funeral Home. Gravesite committal at Hillside Cemetery, 27 Chance Harbour Road, Trenton, NS, following the service.