Joyce Harman

Joyce Harman passed away suddenly on April 1, 2025, at the Seaforth Community Hospital. She was 82. Joyce had very recently moved into Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels, but spent most of her life on the family farm on the 3rd of Morris.

 

Joyce is survived and deeply missed by her niece Juanita Lamb. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Irene Harman; her aunt, Edith Warwick; her sister Mary Lamb; and her nephew, Bradley Lamb. She is remembered by her brother-in-law Clifford Lamb, her niece-in-law Iris Lamb, her grandnieces Arwen and Arya and her grandnephew Théoden. She is also survived by an extended family including many cousins who, along with her close friends, have been so generous and instrumental in supporting her care in recent years.

 

After attending Browntown School and Wingham High School, Joyce trained at Mothercraft’s Well-Baby Nurse College in Toronto. This training and her early days in accepting referrals from Mothercraft’s registry launched her career as a private duty nanny.  

 

She independently established a practice offering recurring short- and medium-term childcare support to many prestigious families in Toronto, often travelling abroad with them to provide her services. She remained in touch with many of those families and children over the years, as well as with the friends she made during her Mothercraft training. 

 

When she decided to return to Brussels, she became a full-time nanny locally until her retirement. 

 

Joyce loved to garden and quilt and was very active at Knox Presbyterian Church, Bluevale, until her health began to deteriorate. The challenges she experienced in her mobility would eventually be diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. Despite many serious health issues and lengthy hospitalizations over the years, Joyce continued to stubbornly battle back so she could return home to the farm.

 

For Juanita and Brad growing up, she was the quintessential “fun aunt”. She would often use the breaks between her nanny gigs to shepherd them around the greater Toronto area to various activities and attractions.

 

Honouring Joyce’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there was no service. Arrangements were handled by Riverside Funeral Home, Brussels.

 

All are welcome to join Juanita at the family farm (41566 Cardiff Road, Brussels) for a time of fellowship on Aug. 9, between 2-4 p.m.

 

Expressions of sympathy may be offered through memorial donations to the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation or Parkinson Canada.