Joyce Paavi

It is with great sadness the family announces the sudden passing of Caroline (Joyce) Paavi on September 7, 2022 with family by her side. Joyce was born April 11, 1939 to the late Ethel and Fred Markall in Port Arthur, Ontario.

Right from childhood, family was the most important thing to Joyce. Joyce married her childhood sweetheart, Dick, and moved to Toronto, then later Brampton where they began raising their three daughters. Joyce had started a career in banking but as her daughters came along, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom giving her full and undivided attention to them as well as becoming a second mom to many others over the years. She was actively involved in their lives becoming a Brownie and Guide leader, dance mom, swim instructor, teacher, and trusted confidant.

When they returned to Thunder Bay, Joyce loved to spend her summers at the family camp on Dog Lake, always playing a good game of crib, swimming, canoeing and embracing life. As her grand and great-grandchildren came along she continued attending every school and sporting activity they had, as well as spending many hours at the lake with them where she would play in the water for hours no matter how cold.

Joyce also enjoyed giving of herself to many charititable organizations bringing awareness and raising funds; some of which were the Kidney Foundation, Diabetes Association, ALS and many more. Most recently she has been knitting teddy bears for Doctors Without Borders. She also enjoyed her many years of bowling, knitting with her ladies and her card group. No matter where she was or who she met Joyce always had time to make you feel special.

Joyce is survived by her daughters Wendy Holmquist, Susan Biancospino, and Lorrie (Richard) Peltola, and their families Melissa (Scott), Brandon (Natasha) Bryan and John, Jerid, and great-grandchildren Trentin and Braelin; brother John (Luci) Markall, sisters Barbara (Chic) Hutcheon and Peggy (Hugh) Groombridge, sister-in-law Leslie Markall and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Dick, brother Robert (Bob) and grandson Trevor Holmquist.

A celebration of life for Joyce will take place on Monday, September 12, 2022 beginning at 6:00 pm in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, officiated by Rev. Brooke Belliveau. Visitation will be held one hour prior. A private burial will take place at a later date in Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.