It is with profound sadness that the family of Joyce Elizabeth Lanigan announce her peaceful passing on December 15th, 2022 at the age of 70.
Joyce grew up in Rossport, ON the eldest of 6 children and two working parents. She grew up fast in a modest home where she took on adult responsibilities at an early age. In 1965, she met the love of her life, Ron, a new school teacher from Ottawa. They courted for 6 years, with her mom often chaperoning their dates, sitting in the back seat. They married in 1971, and became the proud parents of 5 children; 4 daughters, and 1 son. In 1975, they moved to Nipigon, ON where Joyce, in her social butterfly way and deep religious faith, became involved in everything she could. From selling Tupperware, Coppercraft, and Fuller Brush, being a member of TOPS, CWL President, and a member of the CWL Diocese of Thunder Bay, cooking at the Chalet Lodge, Husky, and Texaco, driving the school bus and working as an EA at George O’Neill. Joyce was the jack of all trades, and master of many. No job was too big or too small; she would spend endless hours working on her kids’ school projects, creating prize winning Halloween costumes, and was known to cater many a wedding, and organize some of the biggest and best women’s curling bonspiels. She curled for many years, became an avid golfer and was the honorary cheerleader for the Nipigon Inn Gang for many baseball seasons. Joyce loved life, and lived it to her fullest! Her smile and laughter breathed life everywhere she went. Joyce loved singing, playing guitar, cooking and baking, but most of all, she enjoyed spending endless amounts of time with her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to have fun, and taught her kids and grandkids the same! She may have danced without shoes, but was never without her lipstick and perfume!
Joyce spoke her mind and never held back to tell people what she thought, especially when commenting and posting so candidly on Facebook. She kept the hackers happy and offered many an opportunity for you to add her as a friend. Joyce kept a positive outlook and always wore a smile. She loved flirting with her
boyfriends, and was the biggest cheerleader for the bar bands that visited Nipigon over the years. She especially loved her Chrome Domes, and rarely missed a Friday night out with them. Joyce hugged like a bear, kissed on the lips and never hesitated saying, “I love you”.
Joyce is now reunited with her loving parents, David and Hilda and sister Laurie Ann Mushquash.
Left to honour her memory is her Husband, Ron Lanigan. Her Children; Eva (James) Robb, Sarah (Pierre) Pellerin, Mary Ellen (Dale) Roy, Terri-Lee Lanigan, Jim (Monique) Lanigan. 12 Grandchildren; Mackenzie, Bailey, Kennedy, and Bobby Stuart, Veronica and Carter Pellerin, Jack, Jonah and Joel Roy, Cameron Lanigan, Xander and Jersey Lanigan, and 7 Great-grandchildren. Siblings; Peter (Toni), Agnes, Della and Hilton Mushquash. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. And, her Best Friends/Sistas Cathy Johnson, Helene Riabov and Ivy Wawia.
A Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, December 18th, 2022 at 7 p.m., with a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, December 20th at 11 a.m., both will take place at the Annunciation of BVM Parish in Nipigon, ON with Fr. Henryk Augustynowicz officiating. A reception and tribute for Joyce will follow the Celebration of Life, at the Nipigon Legion Branch #32.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Annunciation of the BVM Parish in Nipigon or the Nipigon Legion Branch #32.
