Tribute

With great sadness we mourn the loss of Joyce James (née Anderson). Joyce passed
peacefully on May 26th and is survived by daughters Fiona (Ted) and Valerie (Peter), and
son Colin (LeeAnne), grandchildren Callum, Charlotte/Johann and Elizabeth, brothers Ian
and David, and extended family in Scotland, England, Israel, and Germany. She is
predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Douglas James.

Born in Edinburgh in 1935, Joyce grew up in North Berwick and in Haddington during WWII.
She was a Queen’s Guide, captain of her grass hockey team, Head Girl and Head Master’s
daughter at Knox Academy, and an avid cyclist exploring the post-war Scottish countryside.
After completing her Master’s of Arts at the University of Edinburgh, followed by teacher training                                                                                            at Moray House, she taught in St. Andrew’s, where she met Douglas, the love of her life,                                                                                                   through Scottish country dancing.

After a whirlwind courtship, they married and ventured out to Vancouver in 1959, crossing
the Atlantic followed by a trans-Canada rail journey. Joyce and Douglas enjoyed university
life, and were active in their church while raising three children in Vancouver.
Joyce was an avid gardener and loved hiking holidays with family. Joyce had a great
passion for music. She taught piano, was active in church choirs and played the organ at
several churches. Joyce and Douglas enjoyed taking their children on regular trips to Britain
to see family and share their heritage.

In 1990, Joyce and Douglas retired to Salt Spring Island with their corgis where they enjoyed
island life for many years and also travelled extensively in Europe, Great Britain, BC, and the
rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. A few years after Douglas’ passing, she joined The
Peninsula community in Sidney, while maintaining close ties to Salt Spring.
Joyce cared deeply about her family, friends and church community and was always there to
organize, contribute, and assist.. Our beautiful mother and grandmother will be deeply
missed. We will always cherish our many wonderful memories of our adventurous, feisty
mother!

Joyce will join Douglas at St. Mary’s on Salt Spring Island. A memorial service will be held at
2 pm on Sunday, May 31st at Holy Trinity in North Saanich. A small tea will be held
afterwards at The Peninsula for her friends and fellow residents.
We would like to extend our great appreciation for the exceptional care given by The
Peninsula in Sidney, and the Emergency and Neurology departments of Victoria General. In
lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to Victoria General Hospital: re Caring Spirit
specifically for the exceptional nursing team in the Dept. of Neurology Victoria Hospital Foundation.