Obituary of V. Joyce Austin (nee Howey)

V. JOYCE AUSTIN (nee Howey) 1925 - 2016 We mourn the loss of Joyce Austin who died suddenly at home on February 5th, 2016. Our Mom lived on the sunny-side of life and taught us that love, laughter, family and friends are all you need to be truly happy. She was raised in Beamsville, Ontario with beloved siblings Ray, Mel and Estelle. At sixteen she started work at the Bank of Commerce to help support the family, eventually moving to Barrie where she met Irish-born, military officer Patrick Austin. A whirlwind courtship later, our intrepid Mom flew, by herself, to get married in Dublin where the local paper reported she'd introduced the "double ring ceremony" to Ireland. They moved frequently and Mom loved the variety of living across Canada and in Germany, caring for their growing family of Mauralea, Murray, Randy and Julie. Settling in London, Mom went back to work, this time at the Bank of Montreal, expanding her circle of friends. Widowed in 1992, Mom devoted herself to her ever-growing family, becoming a cherished "Noni" to ten grand-children and eventually ten great-grand-children, each one introduced to "The Magic Cupboard", Noni's treasure-trove of toys and books. She was the 'Lady in Red', a guiding light to three generations who miss her deeply but feel eternally blessed by her presence in our lives. Visitors will be received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass at St. John the Divine Church, 390 Base Line Road West, on Thursday at 10:30 am. Interment at Woodland Cemetery. If desired, donations made to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.