Obituary of Eleanor Joyce Forster
May 15, 1925 – July 22, 2021
Joyce died peacefully on July 22nd in Toronto.
She is survived by her children Elizabeth (Ted Reeser), David (Anneliese Kabisch), John (Laurie Steven), and Paul (Erin McCarthy), her grandchildren Geoffrey Reeser (Alexandra Gundy), Ian Reeser (Emily Bird) and Emma and Kate Forster, as well as by her great-grandchildren George, Wesley, Wilfred and David Reeser.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband George, her parents Roy and Mabel Bainard, her grandson David Reeser, and her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Frank Milligan.
Joyce was born in Toronto where she attended Allenby Public School, Lawrence Park Collegiate, and the University of Toronto.
A great lover of the English language, she never met a cryptic crossword she couldn’t solve. She served as editor of Canadian Bride magazine and then worked for years as a freelance editor for publications including The Philanthropist, Robert McMichael’s book, One Man’s Obsession and The Bainards of Westminster. While she enforced the rules of style and grammar with ruthless efficiency and fanatical devotion, her children and grandchildren eventually came to appreciate her countless editorial contributions to high school essays and university papers.
Something of an expert on manners, she removed countless elbows from dinner tables, could correctly position all sizes and varieties of knives, forks and spoons and may have been one of the last people in the world who knew that the groom stands to the right of the bride down the aisle so as to keep his sword hand free to fend off rivals.
Joyce was an active member of the community throughout her life. Among her contributions, she served on the Volunteer Committee of the National Ballet of Canada, the board of Rosedale United Church, and the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. With unwavering support she baked dozens of cookies for school fun fairs and Mayfair. Joyce derived much satisfaction as a lifelong active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
The family would like to thank her caregivers at the Balmoral Club and Connie Galeano for the great kindness they showed Joyce in her declining years.
A private interment was held for immediate family members. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held in the fall.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the National Ballet of Canada, Endowment Foundation or the charity of your choice in memory of Joyce. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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