Sylvia Joyce Sammis Ventrudo

Sylvia Joyce Sammis Ventrudo, our precious Mom, Baba, family Matriarch and Queen Bee, passed away peacefully on March 23rd at the grand age of 91 following a long life well lived. Joyce always had a positive zest for life and as a child delighted in the Newberry family adventures on Rankin Street and at their country farm. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and enjoyed the annual family celebrations of Hogmanay to ring in the New Year as well as Robbie Burns Day, raising a wee dram to toast the haggis. Her sage advice was “never turn down an invitation to a party”!

Joyce married the love of her life, Daniel Ventrudo, the handsome neighbourhood Consumer’s Foodland grocer, in 1956. The fair-haired lass was embraced by a big Italian family where she formed wonderful friendships that would last a lifetime. She had a strong comradery with her brother and sister-in-law, Bert and Wilma, sharing in many happy adventures through the years.

In addition to an early career at the Workman’s Compensation Board, Joyce and Dan built a small apartment block together and became landlords. They soon welcomed daughter Jill and son Dan to the fold. Following the early passing of her beloved husband to Multiple Sclerosis, Joyce became her best true self, proudly wearing the hats of both Mom and Dad, and raising her children with a unique blend of loving determination, tenacity and good cheer. She embraced the role of being a landlady and could fix your kitchen sink or deliver kittens through a ceiling tile.

The travel bug bit Joyce early in life and she enjoyed fun filled trips with her childhood friend, Evelyn Williams. Together they were fearless and enjoyed trips to Cuba, New York and Western Canada. On one memorable adventure, they missed their train after a short pit stop and had to hire a taxi to race them wildly across the prairies to the next station. Joyce also travelled extensively with Bert and Willie, sister Elizabeth and Vern, brother Bruce and her children Jill and Dan and their families... Hawaii, Barbados, Scotland, Iceland, Italy, Shetland, the Faroe and Orkney Islands to name a few. From tents to cabins to castles, she happily did it all!

Joyce also enjoyed the beauty of Cloud Bay on Lake Superior at Bert and Willie’s cottage and at Jill and Dan’s property. Family picnics, Liza’s famous fall corn roasts, Shebandowan adventures at Bruce’s camp, blueberry picking and camping at Lake Agimak with cousin Bill Montgomery, all made for memorable summers.

Her greatest joy was being a doting Baba to her four grandchildren, Janna, Erinn, Bryndis and Anderson. She would happily play, entertain and create with them for hours and they could count on Baba to be their number one supporter in all aspects of their life. She instilled a profound sense of love, joy, wonder and curiosity that has shaped them into incredible adults.

A devoted member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and St. Aiden’s Guild, she was proud that 5 generations of her family sat in the same pew! Church teas, Christmas Bazaars, bake sales, fundraisers and volunteering at Shelter House brought her joy as did heading committees and being president of her church group.

Joyce will be lovingly missed by children Jill (Dan) Zachary, Dan (Sharon) Ventrudo, grandchildren Janna (Jean-Louis) Zachary, Erinn (Iain) Zachary, Bryndis and Anderson Ventrudo, Sister Elizabeth (Vernon) Renshaw, brother-in-law Jerry (Susan) Ventrudo, sisters-in-law Wilma Ventrudo and Mimi Ventrudo and families, nephew Ronald (Debbie) Ventrudo, niece Jennifer (Raymond) Mercier, nephews Mark (Hilda) Renshaw and Alan (Patty) Renshaw, cousins Liza (Gay) Cook and Glen Cook. She is also survived by many special great nieces and great nephews whom she loved dearly.

Predeceased by husband Daniel R. Ventrudo, parents Roy and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Newberry, father and mother-in-law Frank and Maria (Grasso) Ventrudo, brother Bruce Newberry, sisters- in-law Jackie Newberry and Kathleen Newberry, brothers-in-law Bert Ventrudo and Eugene Ventrudo & nephew David Ventrudo.

Our most sincere thanks to special at home support companion Rhea, the caregivers, recreationalists, nurses and friends on 2 South, Hogarth Riverview Manor, who made Joyce’s stay there very enjoyable. Thank you to Drs. Almond and Slivchak for their excellent medical care over the years.

Joyce will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all. Loveable, caring, selfless and kind...a generous woman with a quick wit who will always be remembered for her love of life and her willingness to help others. She had a positive and welcoming nature that made her easy to talk to and left people feeling safe, noticed and special. Joyce’s gentle, unparalleled kindness inspired our family and all those fortunate enough to know her to be their best true selves. She was everyone’s cheerleader and never gave up on anyone. She always gave people chances so that they could become who they were meant to be. Joyce was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service for Joyce Ventrudo will take place on Thursday April 4th at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (across from City Hall) led by Reverend Joyce Yanishewski. Interment will follow at Mountainview Cemetery. Visitation at Jenkens Funeral Home (Syndicate Avenue) from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday April 3rd. If friends so desire, memorial donations to the TBRHSC Hearts at Home Campaign or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church would be greatly appreciated.

In the spirit of Baba, please check that your oven is really off and ask yourself did I unplug the iron?

“I heard the voice that called me home”