Joyce Sybella MacDonald

Joyce Sybella (Borden) MacDonald - passed away at 100 on April 26, 2020 at Evergreen Home for Special Care, with her grand-daughter, Heather and daughter-in-law, Trish at her side. Other family members were present virtually. Born in Halifax on February 5, 1920 Joyce was the older daughter of Walter and Lillian (McIntyre) Borden. After growing up on the family farm in Grafton, Joyce followed her heart and attended the Teacher’s Normal College in Truro. She began her teaching career in the one room schoolhouse in Black Rock in 1940, then Woodville and finally settling in Kentville in 1945. She loved teaching and was always proud of each and every child she taught. Her specialty was the young elementary grades and in later years she served as the reading specialist, until her retirement. She spent many summers upgrading her teaching skills at Dalhousie University until earning her Masters of Education. Both she, and her husband Bill, taught in the Kentville school system together until his death but Joyce continued her teaching career of 35 years, retiring in 1985. She enjoyed collecting antiques, creating and teaching pottery for the Adult Education programs. Outdoor living and gardening were two of her passions. Joyce was predeceased by her husband, D. W. "Bill" MacDonald. She is survived by her son, Jack (Trish How) and two grandchildren, Scott (Lindsay Linkletter) and Heather Cleveland (Andrew) and her great grandchildren, Maren and Calum MacDonald and Will and Charlie Cleveland. She is also survived by her sister, Christine Simpson; niece, Pam Simpson; nephews, Bob and Alan Simpson. The family would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to Darlene at Hilltop Haven Senior Living and later, the staff at Evergreen for the many years of special care given to her. Cremation has occurred with interment following at a later date in Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. Donations may be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia (https://alzheimer.ca/en/ns). Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.