Obituary of Joyce Doreen Hansen

Joyce Doreen Hansen 1939 - 2011 of Two Rivers/Rose Prairie, British Columbia, passed away December 11, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. There will be no service held at her request. Joyce was born in Alix, October 26, 1939, to parents Flora and Leslie Pears. Joyce and her husband Ron moved to Fort St. John in 1967 and made it their permanent home. Joyce loved the Peace River area and often referred to it as ‘God’s Country’. She would rise to the occasion if anyone tried to convince her there was a better place to live. When Ron passed away in 1975, Joyce and her family of six children moved to Baldonnel, where she lived with her current partner, Art Bourdon, for six years. In 1986, she and Art moved to Rose Prairie where they resided for the next 24 years. Joyce was an accomplished horsewoman, owning and working with horses all her life. She was her daughter’s and grandchildren’s trainer and coach at horse shows and could often be seen encouraging them on the sidelines at local shows. Joyce was an avid historian and could be found sitting at her computer into the wee hours of the morning researching and compiling family history. She was an artisan, painting with oils and in earlier years, sketching in charcoal or pencil. She loved to decorate elaborate cakes for family occasions. For the past ten years Joyce’s passion has been photography. Her great love of nature and family can clearly be seen when one views her extraordinary work. She was often seen dipping and diving with her camera slung around her neck amongst the wild flowers, scouring the hills, and hiking mountains for the perfect photo. Her Grandchildren were often her subjects and she always managed to capture those timeless moments. Her artistic talents were limitless. Joyce is survived by Art Burdon, her partner of 36 years. Son, Dan (Ute) Brinton, daughter, Susan (Brad) Clarke, Son in-law Tom Pugh, Son Ron (Lilia) Hansen, son Troy Hansen, daughter Melody (Matt) McGuire, many grand and great grandchildren, and her great aunts Kay Johnston and Moira Gervais of Sundre, Alberta. Joyce was fiercely loyal to her family and was not only a beloved and inspiring mother to her six children, but a mother to many, many more, including her foster children for many years. Her love and inspiration well be greatly missed. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Ron, in 1975 and her daughter Niki (Nicole), in 1986. "When I get the final summons from the courthouse in the skies, From the judge of all the judges may He deem it no surprise, If I ask Him just one favor - He may grant it, no one knows, Send me back beside the Rockies, where the great Peace River flows.” Author unknown.