Joyce Irene Hand

Joyce Irene Hand, of Barrie ON, passed away peacefully at her residence on May 13, 2025.

Joyce was born on 31^st of October, 1934 in Oneida Township, Haldimand County, ON.  After Joyce graduated from Caledonia High School, she went on to study nursing.  In 1956, Joyce graduated from Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in London, ON.  During this time of her life, Joyce became very skilled in her profession in addition to travelling in her spare time.

Joyce married Phillip Hand in Caledonia in 1964.  Phil and Joyce spent many years enjoying the outdoors camping.  While residing in Trenton, Joyce returned to school to complete her Grade 13 to prepare for the University of Toronto where she earned her MSc in Nursing in 1975.  Shortly after this, Joyce and Phil moved to Barrie ON where she obtained employment at Georgian College teaching nursing.

During this time, they acquired a boat which they used extensively on the Trent and Rideau waterways often including various nieces and nephews.  After they gave up the boat, they acquired a camper trailer, travelling as far as Alberta and Florida.

After her retirement from Georgian College, Joyce took up a number of activities such as drumming, bridge, flower arrangement and walking, often accompanied by her dear friend Marj.  She joined the Barrie Horticultural Society and became an active member of Probus.  Joyce was an avid gardener who created perennial flower beds and a vegetable garden.  She was very generous with her garden sharing with friends and family.  Joyce supported and attended many theatre and concert events in Barrie even offering her home at times to travelling actors!

Joyce was predeceased by her parents, George Harvey Clarke Nelles and Olive Matilda Nelles (nee Hoover) and husband, Norman Phillip Hand.  She is survived by her three sisters and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Joyce will be held at a later date.