Obituary of Joyce Winifred McKay

Joyce Winifred (nee Upton) McKay September 22, 1923 to March 30, 2017 After a brief illness, at the Kingston General Hospital on Thursday, March 30, 2017, with her family by her side, Joyce Winifred (nee Upton) McKay of Merrickville in her 94th year, passed away peacefully. She was predeceased by her mother, Dorothy (Dempsey) Upton, her father, William Upton, and her brother Peter Upton, all of England. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late John McKay, and dear mother of Andrew McKay of Merrickville, David McKay (Donna O’Connell) of Enterprise, Derek McKay (Dian Duthie), of Ottawa and also predeceased by her daughter Janyce, (Bob Mcintosh) of Langley B.C. She was the Grandmother of Christopher, Amy, Alex, Patrick, Michael, Megan, Katherine, Erin, Kelly, Morgan, Rick, Jeff and Gordie. Also the Great Grandmother of Brook, Luke, Jenna, Lukas, Haydan, Charlie, Shawn and Kurtis. She will be fondly remembered by her niece Brenda English (Cliff) of Otterburn Park, Que, and her many friends, especially Ruby Crawford and Grayce Muir. Joyce was born in England and came to Canada after the Second World War and married John McKay. Joyce was an avid traveler including visiting China when she was in her late 70’s. Joyce was a founding member and past president of the Burritts Rapids New Horizons Club, and she was a member of the Ladies’ Dart League in Merrickville for over 20 years, and enjoyed their annual trips to Alexandria Bay and Gananoque. She belonged to the Merrickville Legion, the Merrickville Historical Society, the Rideau Valley Boots and Baskets, the Red Hat Society, the Merrickville Walking Group and the Birthday Club. She was a keen reader and a gifted knitter. A very special thank you goes to her Granddaughter Amy (McKay) St. Laurent for her attention and vigilance in assisting Joyce during the last few weeks and holding her hand and never letting go until Joyce was ready. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 1:00 pm, at Christ Church Anglican Church in Burritts Rapids, 4419 Donnelly Rd. A reception will follow at the Merrickville Legion, Main Street West at 2:00 pm. Friends and family desiring may contribute to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be submitted to the Lannin Funeral Home, Smiths Falls by submitting them to www.Lannin.ca.