December 26, 1927 - February 17, 2025
In loving memory ~
Joyce Pauline Baragon nee Adank passed away on February 17, 2025(Family Day) at the age of 97, with sunshine, music and loved ones by her side.
Joyce was born in Vancouver on December 26, 1927, to John and Elizabeth Adank. She and younger sister Jaqueline had a happy, carefree childhood in Kitsilano, swimming at the beach, playing tennis, and going on cycling excursions. Trips on the Interurban Railway out to the Sumas Prairie to stay with her paternal grandparents introduced her to gardening and farming. She especially enjoyed her years at Kitsilano High School, making lifelong friends. "Hail Kitsilano" was often part of her repertoire of favorite songs. During her teen years,
Joyce worked at the Hudson Bay Co. and picked fruit in the Okanagan during the summer. Being a talented artist, upon graduation, Joyce attended Vancouver Art School with an interest in fashion illustration and design, but fate had other plans. On a trip to visit her maternal grandmother in the small community of Blackpool, B.C., Joyce
met a local rancher, Harry Stenberg. They were married in September 1948. For a girl raised in the city, life changed dramatically. The newlyweds' first home was a remote log cabin.
After the birth of their first child in 1950, Joyce and Harry settled in West 91原创. By 1962 they were raising six children on 216th Street(Topham Road). All the large families in the neighbourhood meant lots of playmates for the kids and many enduring friendships for Joyce. She and Harry continued farming and were pioneers in the B.C. poultry industry. During those busy years, Joyce also found time to volunteer with the Women's Auxiliary to LMH and counsel at 91原创 Family Services.
After Harry's passing, Joyce married Walter Baragon in 1978 and together they spent happy days on the farm, raising cattle, tending a beautiful garden and enjoying friends and family. Many of us were welcome recipients of Joyce's generosity, with gifts from her bountiful vegetable patch, a birthday pie and wonderful Christmas celebrations.
With Walter, Joyce had an avid travel companion, and together they travelled the world making memories and friends. In her later years, the beauty, culture and music of Hawaii held a special place in her heart.
Joyce spent 74 years on her farm and in her own home. In her last months, she never lost her happy, joyous spirit, always sharing a smile, an "I Love You" or a "Thanks, honey!" to her care- aids, especially her live-in caregiver and friend, Chona.
Joyce, much loved mother, mother-in-law, stepmother, gramma, great-gramma, aunt, cousin, and friend will be missed and always remembered with gratitude for her kindness, generosity, and acceptance of all people.
Joyce is predeceased by husband Walter and son, Mark Stenberg (Mary Jane)and sister Jaqueline Sullivan nee Adank and is survived by children Elaine DePedrina (Bruno), David Stenberg (Mary), Eric Stenberg (Cathy), Susan Stenberg (Rick Cornelius) and Julie Smit (John), seventeen grandchildren and twenty-eight great grandchildren.