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(nee Hobenshield)

June 13, 1940 to February 23, 2013

Joyce was born in Hazelton, BC to Tony and Mabel Hobenshield, the youngest child of six brothers and one twin sister. The Hobenshield family moved to Terrace and Joyce attended Skeena Secondary School where she played volleyball, basketball and ran track and field. She met Clarence Baker when she was 14 and they were married on June 13, 1959. Over the years she worked for B.C. Tel, Sight and Sound and Sears, but she mainly stayed home to raise their four children, first at their home on Olson Street and then on 40 acres in Jackpine Flats.

After her marriage Joyce continued to play Softball and coached her children’s teams as they too joined the sport. In later years she would coach her grandchildren’s teams as well. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the league team ”Smiles and Chuckles” for over 30 years. She was a fan of the Blue Jays baseball team and was thrilled to see them play live in both Toronto and Seattle.

Joyce had a huge love of family. Her children were a source of great pride, and when her grandchildren began to arrive she became a major presence in their lives. Over the years she attended sports events, school events, graduations and weddings, and was always proud of every accomplishment no matter how small. To her numerous nieces and nephews she was known as “Aunty Joyce” and will be remembered for her loving nature and beaming smile. She enjoyed taking vacations to see her brothers, her sister, her aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, her cousins, her children and grandchildren and visiting with many friends.

More recently, Joyce’s volunteer activities included acting as a Director for the Happy Gang Center where she could be found in the kitchen every Friday making grilled cheese sandwiches. When she wasn’t in the kitchen she was a proud participant in the many activities offered at the center, especially playing cribbage and rummoli every week she could.

Joyce was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend who left behind many who miss her. Her children Bev (Stu), Donna (Albert), Sandy (Greg), Dan (Connie) and their children, Matthew (Aynsley), Gregory, Christopher, Pamela, Taylor, Kyla, Jeffrey, Damien, Mitchell, Keanna and Carolyn. She was predeceased by her father Tony, her mother Mabel, her brother Lorne and her husband Clarence.

We would like to thank all the family, friends and medical staff who cared for her over the last difficult months of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church, 4640 Park Avenue, Terrace, BC with a reception to follow.

Memorial donations may be made in Joyce’s name to the R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation (www.remleehospitalfoundation.org), to support the new Ultrasound Unit, or to the charity of your choice.



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