SEWALL – With great sadness we wish to tell you of the passing of our wife, mother, auntie, grandma, and friend to all, Joyce Lynn Sewall. She left us peacefully April 16, 2019 at the age of 69 years. Joyce was born in Brooks on April 13, 1950 to Bertha and Percy Smith. She grew up on a farm in Rainier and Joyce was the fourth of seven children. Her father passed away unexpectedly when she was a teenager, so Bertha and the kids made the best they could with powdered milk, hand-me- downs and lots of family get togethers with the Ragans’ and the Smiths.’ She learned as a child how important family and hard work is and carried it throughout her life.
Joyce and Cliff got married in Kalispell on a holiday to Montana on July 23, 1969. They lived in Brooks for awhile, then bought a place in the Antelope Creek area where they had three kids …… Jody, Bill and Julie. Joyce was a devoted mother who put her kids first. She was a strong empathetic woman who cared for everyone around her and Joyce made anyone who was sick feel better. She taught her children to work hard and find a way out of problems. She let us fall, and then learn how to pick ourselves up.
Joyce’s life was full of family, parties, dancing and singing into spoons. She had so many friends and family to laugh and share holidays with. She was a full-time mom, farmer and teacher’s aide at the Primary School in Brooks and later owned her own business running an antique shop. Her ‘after work passion’ was in the yard. Joyce planted hundreds of trees, lovingly watering them with endless hose and sprinkler moves, setting up a beautiful yard long before her and Cliff built a new home. She was the glue of our family and hosted many many family functions with endless energy and joy.
Throughout her life she took care of so many people, starting with the kids’ friends and people that had no where else to go, to taking care of her mother, step father Tunney and grandpa Jock’s in palliative care. This led to keep volunteering at long term care for many people who had no one else. Her determination to help people was part of who she was. She found endless love and joy in her life when she became a grandmother. She did all she could to make every day magical and fun for her beautiful grandchildren. She gave her grandchildren the gift of a paradise in her yard and her heart. Nolan, Ethan, Benen, Liam, Emmett, Tayven, Sarah, Tessa meant everything to her. They were her shining stars who could do no wrong.
Near the end of her life she had many angels looking out for her. Living a life of sacrifice and caring made sure that friends and family always came and made sure she was ok. Joyce was a fighter and the bravest person we know, teaching all of us to never give up. Rest easy Joyce and know you left the world a much better place. A celebration of life will be held for Joyce on April 26, 2019 at the Cassils Community hall at 2pm. In lieu of donations the family would ask all to consider kindly signing an organ donor card.
