1922
Joyce
2023
Joyce Irene Chimirri-Russell
February 22, 1922 — January 13, 2023
On Friday, January 13, 2023 Mrs. Joyce Chimirri-Russell of Calgary, Alberta passed away at the age of 100 years.
Joyce was born in Battersea, south London (UK) and mastered Pittman’s shorthand at school. Upon leaving school she was soon involved in work of critical importance to the war effort in WW II. It was during this period that she met Nicholas, a member of the Canadian armed forces. They married and Nicholas stayed in the UK rather than returning to Canada. After raising their son, Anthony, Joyce returned to the workforce and rose to become an executive secretary at Decca Radar in London. She was a magnificent self-taught seamstress and made the majority of her own clothes, a keen and skilled photographer and a devotee of Keep Fit. Anthony emigrated to Canada in 1973 and the arrival of grandchildren was something that could not be resisted, so in the mid-1980’s, after retirement, Joyce and Nicholas embarked upon a new life in Calgary. Joyce was delighted to be able to witness the growth and development of her grandchildren and was a major influence in their early lives. Her photographic, knitting and crocheting adventures continued for many years and, when her eyesight became too poor to pursue those hobbies, she kept her mind as sharp as a tack by doing puzzles of all sorts. Right up to the end her mind was clear and her conversation engaging. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her and experiencing her gentle and caring ways.
Joyce is survived by her loving son Anthony Chimirri-Russell and his wife Geraldine of Calgary, Alberta; three grandchildren Sarah Gamble (Alain Schmitz) of Victoria , British Columbia, Helen Chimirri-Russell (Oliver Smith) of Waterloo, Ontario, Reverend James Chimirri-Russell (Kari Olson) of Regina, Saskatchewan; great grandchildren Alexander Gamble, Ash Gamble, Noah Chimirri-Smith, Bruce Chimirri-Olson, and Luke Chimirri-Olson.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Nicholas Chimirri-Russell; brother Arthur Thompson; and sister Gwendoline Winter.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Foothills Lutheran Church, 3104 – 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta.
Livestream of the service can be accessed at the following
link
: https://www.facebook.com/foothillslutheran
Cremation will take place at the Foothills Crematorium. Joyce’s urn will be placed in a niche beside her husband at Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorials may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Salvation Army (
https://salvationarmy.ca/
)
Joyce was born in Battersea, south London (UK) and mastered Pittman’s shorthand at school. Upon leaving school she was soon involved in work of critical importance to the war effort in WW II. It was during this period that she met Nicholas, a member of the Canadian armed forces. They married and Nicholas stayed in the UK rather than returning to Canada. After raising their son, Anthony, Joyce returned to the workforce and rose to become an executive secretary at Decca Radar in London. She was a magnificent self-taught seamstress and made the majority of her own clothes, a keen and skilled photographer and a devotee of Keep Fit. Anthony emigrated to Canada in 1973 and the arrival of grandchildren was something that could not be resisted, so in the mid-1980’s, after retirement, Joyce and Nicholas embarked upon a new life in Calgary. Joyce was delighted to be able to witness the growth and development of her grandchildren and was a major influence in their early lives. Her photographic, knitting and crocheting adventures continued for many years and, when her eyesight became too poor to pursue those hobbies, she kept her mind as sharp as a tack by doing puzzles of all sorts. Right up to the end her mind was clear and her conversation engaging. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her and experiencing her gentle and caring ways.
Joyce is survived by her loving son Anthony Chimirri-Russell and his wife Geraldine of Calgary, Alberta; three grandchildren Sarah Gamble (Alain Schmitz) of Victoria , British Columbia, Helen Chimirri-Russell (Oliver Smith) of Waterloo, Ontario, Reverend James Chimirri-Russell (Kari Olson) of Regina, Saskatchewan; great grandchildren Alexander Gamble, Ash Gamble, Noah Chimirri-Smith, Bruce Chimirri-Olson, and Luke Chimirri-Olson.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Nicholas Chimirri-Russell; brother Arthur Thompson; and sister Gwendoline Winter.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Foothills Lutheran Church, 3104 – 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta.
Livestream of the service can be accessed at the following
link
: https://www.facebook.com/foothillslutheran
Cremation will take place at the Foothills Crematorium. Joyce’s urn will be placed in a niche beside her husband at Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorials may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Salvation Army (
https://salvationarmy.ca/
)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Irene Chimirri-Russell, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Friday, January 20, 2023
Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain time)
Foothills Lutheran Church
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