Joyce P. Schwab

Born in Craik, Saskatchewan to Paul and Phoebe (Hemingway) Kusmire, Joyce was one of seven children. The family later moved to Estevan where Joyce completed high school. Soon after, she moved to Regina to take up a position with Saskatchewan Government Telephones. On a visit to relatives in Melville, Joyce was reintroduced to a young baker, Harry Schwab, who she had first met a few years earlier at a school social. They married in 1947 and began to raise a family. Ten years later they immigrated to the US, settling eventually and very happily in Milwaukie Oregon. Joyce resumed her career in taking a job with Pacific Northwest Bell where she worked her way up from telephone switchboard operator to department supervisor. She remained with PNB for 27 years and retired 1985. On retirement she gardened, sewed, volunteered at the Milwaukie Senior Center, travelled, followed the Trail Blazers, knitted beautiful sweaters for family and friends, and baked countless pies, cakes and cookies. Joyce's husband Harry passed away in 1989 and she remained in the family home until 2003 when she moved to Town Center Village. An avid and much admired grower of dahlias and roses, she was anxious about leaving her garden but admitted almost immediately that moving to the retirement community was one of the best things she ever did. That was prophetic because she soon met and eventually married the second love of her life, Louis Cowan, in 2005. Joyce and Lou enjoyed four happy years before he passed away in 2009. Though she and husband Harry were far away from family in Canada, she remained very close to her sisters and brother and was actively engaged with the lives of her children, their wives and families, and her much loved grandchildren. She was well known and loved by friends and family for her good humor and cheerful and generous personality. Joyce is survived by her sister, Darlene Sinclair of Regina, Saskatchewan, and her children, Larry Schwab (Norma) of Damascus and Jerry Schwab (Stacey) of Canberra, Australia. She leaves behind four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. Joyce's life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass at Christ the King Church 11709 SE Fuller Rd, Milwaukie on Tuesday, Feb 5th (Rosary at 10:30 and Mass at 11:00 with a reception to follow at the Parish Center). Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Open Arms and Helping Hands http://helpinghands.horsleyfamily.com .