OBITUARIES

Joyce Ivy Grace Bawcutt (neé Wood-Gaines)

Joyce Bawcutt, stood 5’ 2” on a good day. Inside that diminutive frame, beat an exceptionally large heart. On 17 September, 2024, that oversized heart stopped, and peacefully, in her hundred and first year, Joyce bid this temporal world good-bye.

Born December 9th , 1923 in London, England, Joyce, the third of four children, grew-up in a tight knit community surrounded by her parents, grandparents and many cousins Joyce loved learning and excelled at school She eagerly participated in sports, particularly gymnastics When she turned sixteen, her comfortable childhood changed WWII was declared It was during an all-clear, after a mid-night air raid, that Joyce first meet volunteer fire-warden John (Jack) Bawcutt (1923 – 2022). Despite Joyce’s hair in curlers, the dust and smoke in the air, the two fell in love, and would be each other’s soul mates and best-friends for the next eighty-one years.

At age eighteen, Joyce and Jack wanted to contribute meaningfully to the war effort. Jack joined the RAF and Joyce enrolled as a nursing student. Joyce’s ‘studies’ were on-the-job education as she worked tirelessly to patch up wounded soldiers, save civilian lives, and comfort the dying, during the Blitz of London

In 1945, Joyce and Jack married, and welcomed their first daughter, Linda Mary three years later They moved to the British seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent where Joyce, using her nursing background, converted part of their house into a home for convalescing children and their mothers In 1952 son Anthony (Tony) John was born, followed in 1956 by Barbara Ann. Canada called in 1956, and Joyce, Jack and their young family started a new life adventure in Paris Ontario. Son Michael Leonard rounded out the family in 1960.

Joyce became a tireless contributor to the Paris Presbyterian Church. She offered her time as a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent, was a member of the Session, acted as treasurer and pianist for the Women’s Missionary Society, volunteered at church suppers and bake sales, organized the annual children’s Christmas concert and more And, ever joyful, Joyce loved to sing For over fifty years she was a member of the Church choir, enthusiastically singing in the soprano section Joyce also had an entrepreneurial side She worked beside Jack in their popular Mill House and in Paris Yarns and Crafts These endeavours were a perfect fit for Joyce who, an avid and expert knitter and seamstress. When Jack became

Mayor of Paris, a position he would hold for seventeen years, Joyce, as the ‘First Lady of Paris’ was an energetic supporter and contributor to all aspects of town life. Together Joyce and Jack were happy to tirelessly serve the community that had welcomed them so warmly decades earlier.

In all her community and church service, and in her business enterprises, Joyce made life-long friends who knew they could always count on her for a helping hand, thoughtful words of advice, heartfelt comfort, and excellent shortbread cookies

Joyce is survived by her four children; Linda Schuyler (Stephen Stohn), Tony Bawcutt (Tracy), Barb Graham (Rob), Michael Bawcutt (Lori Brook). She is beloved ‘Nana’ to Max, Erika, Carter, Patrick (Meghan), Christopher, Garrett (Amanda), Kyle (Jess), Matthew, Heather (Pat), and ‘Great Nana’ to Austin, Hannah (Jacob), Mason, Madison, Scarlett, Leighton and Willow.

Friends called at the Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, 184 Grand River St. N. Paris on Friday September 20, 2024 from 5-7 PM. A Memorial Service was held at Paris Presbyterian Church on Saturday September 21, at 10:00AM with Rev. Joel Sherbino officiating. Private Family interment Paris Cemetery

Special Thanks to the team at Telfer Place who cared for Joyce so devotedly in her final year; and to the team at Stedman’s Hospice who offered final comfort Donations to Paris Presbyterian Church or the Bawcutt Centre (Through the County of Brant) would be appreciated Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp 519 442 3061.