Obituary of Joyce Lillian DODSON

Mrs. Joyce Lillian Dodson (Hendry) passed away surrounded by family, on Monday, August 21, 2017 in Calgary Alberta.

Joyce was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on August 28, 1956 and moved to Calgary in 1974. She held a number of jobs but the ones that held the most significance for her were those that involved caring for others, especially children.

She courageously fought to overcome many challenges to her health in order to spend as much time as possible with her family. In 1998 she became the first person in Canada to undergo a pancreas and kidney transplant. In the years following the transplant she lost her sight and her mobility but not her fortitude, positivity, and spirit. Her devotion to her family and friends, her endless generosity, and her ability to laugh in the face of adversity were admirable. She was a comfort and inspiration to many and she will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

 

She is survived by her loving husband Don of forty two years; her daughter Christine (Greg) Sorenson; her granddaughter Robin; her sisters Shirley (Stan) Klassen, Jean (Lionel) Regier, Linda (Sam) Zanidean, Roberta (Jim) Barber, Cheryle Boles; her brother Jim (Cathy) Hendry, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

 

She was predeceased by her parents Albert (Dodie) Hendry and Dorothy Emblyn (Dyer) Hendry.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street N.W., (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, September 2, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

If friends so desire, you can fill out a organ donor card or memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. , the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca. or to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca.

 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Yilmaz and Dr. Ma for enabling Joyce to spend more time with us all, as well as all of the numerous nurses at Foothills Medical Center for their compassionate care.