With heavy hearts, the Graham family would like to announce that Marcella Josephine Graham (Gutray) "Joyce" passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 1, 2026, in the Lloydminster hospital at the age of 82 years.

Joyce was born at the Winnipeg General Hospital in Winnipeg, MB, on November 11, 1943, to John and Mary Gutray. She was the eldest of their 5 children.

Joyce spent her first few years in Winnipeg with her mother and extended family while they waited for her father to return from WWII.  Upon his return, her father, along with other family members, purchased a hotel in Killarney, MB, and moved their family out of the city.  They remained in Killarney for several years, and the family grew to include her sisters Linda and Sharon.  Joyce spent her early years attending school in Killarney, while her parents managed the Hotel.

After moving away from Killarney, the family spent a few years farming just outside Ninette, MB. It was at this time Beverley and Joe were added to the family.

The family moved to Ninette, proper, where Joyce completed her high school education as her father took a position as the Engineer at the Tuberculosis Sanatorium. While in Ninette, she met the love of her life, Richie Graham. Upon graduation, she enrolled in the School of Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital.

Richie and Joyce's romance blossomed, and they planned to wed upon her graduation from the 3-year Nursing program. The pair decided to elope to Brandon and were married on December 30, 1965, after their elopement, they moved to Vancouver, BC.

On July 1 of 1966, they welcomed Trevor to the fold.  The small family moved to Salmo, BC, and a few years later, to Merritt, BC, where Deborah was born on August 23, 1971. As time moved on, so did they and they moved back to Salmo, BC. On November 17, 1972, Diana and Douglas were added to the mix, being born in Trail, BC. For Joyce, 4 was enough. She was rumoured to have met Rick at the door, his bags packed, telling him he had better find them a bigger place, as she was having twins and there was no room for him. 

In 1979, the oilpatch called, and they moved to Sylvan Lake for a few years before finally settling in Lloydminster in 1982. Joyce continued her nursing career working at the Dr. Cook Extended Care Home in Lloydminster as the In-Service Coordinator, where she trained staff on all aspects of the facility. She retired from nursing and from the Dr. Cook Extended Care Home after many years of dedicated service.

Joyce had many interests, from sewing, golfing, and cross-country skiing in the winter, but most of all, she loved her family. Joyce loved gardening, growing fresh produce, and, in the fall, she always made sure there was plenty of canning to get them through the winter, with pickled beets, canned pears and peaches, beans, jams, and jellies to name just a few of her specialties.  Joyce also loved to sew and, as time allowed, took up embroidery, producing beautiful quilts and wall hangings for all her loved ones.  She continued this craft as long as her health would allow.

Joyce will be missed by many, especially her family.

Joyce is survived by: her loving husband of 60 years, Cecil “Rick” Graham; children, Trevor, Deborah, Diana and Douglas (Tawni); sisters, Beverley, Sharon and Linda; grandchildren, Joni (Dorian), Christopher and Jocelyn; great-grandchildren, Hayden and Reilly; and many extended family and friends.

Joyce was predeceased by: her parents, John and Mary; and brother, Joe.

Services for Joyce Graham will be held on August 10, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Legacy Center in Lloydminster.

A Private Family Interment will follow at a later date.

Donations can be made in Joyce's name to the Stars Air Ambulance or Canadian Cancer Society