Joyce Eileen Falco (née Brook) | April 13 1925 – February 2, 2025
We celebrate the life of Joyce Eileen Falco (née Brook) and announce her passing. Joyce died peacefully on February 2, 2025 after a short stay in hospital.
Joyce was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, James (Jim) V. Falco, and was a devoted and loving mother of eight children: Leonard (Debby), James (deceased) (Tanis), Mark, David (Loretta), Christopher (Anna), Barbara Kazemi (Reza), Elizabeth (Joe) and Paul (Sandy); proud Grandmother to eighteen grandchildren, Benjamin, Katelyn (Greg), Jim (Nancy), Steve (Terri), Carolann, Victoria, Allison, Dylan, Samantha (Jim), Graeme, Julia, Laura, Yasmin (Aggrey), Mina, Cyrus, Julia N., Timothy and Kelly; eight great-grandchildren, Jason, Emma, Jonathan, Melanie, Angelica, Hannah, Nicholas and Tano.
Predeceased by her siblings Eric, Ruth, Harold, and Ralph, Joyce will be fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The daughter of Elizabeth Redmayne of Yorkshire and Frederick Brook of Guernsey, England, Joyce grew up in Hamilton, attended Westdale Secondary School and became a pioneer in early childhood education. She thrived helping establish and run multiple nursery and kindergarten programs in both Ontario and California and was a thoughtful, caring and innovative educator. She was also involved in her church from an early age, and had fond memories as a camp leader at the Anglican Diocese’s Camp Artaban in Ancaster. The skills developed throughout her career translated seamlessly into managing her home with eight children to raise on the family farm in Lynden, Ontario.
Joyce met Jim at a Valentine’s Day dance in 1955 where they took over the dance floor! This led to a late-night coffee date from which their partnership blossomed into a deep connection. Five months later they married and together raised their growing family. Joyce served as a confidante and wise advisor to Jim in business matters and they navigated the ups and downs of parenting as a thoughtful and unified team. They shared 65 years of marriage, and the dancing continued as they grew old together into their 90s.
Joyce was keen to share her love of learning and varied interests with the family which resulted in her children having diverse opportunities – from speech and piano lessons, to a range of sports, theatre and opportunities to travel. She also connected with her community in a variety of ways: helping at Sunday school programs, book clubs, the Women’s Canadian Club, as the condo social director and on the executive of the local lawn bowling club. Along with Jim, they quietly supported many individuals and organizations through difficult times, always with a spirit of building hope and confidence.
Joyce’s grandchildren have cherished memories of visiting her and Grandpa on the farm, and not only did it broaden their childhood experience and develop close bonds, they also returned home a little better behaved and on a good sleep and meal schedule! Grandma has been a constant in their lives and they feel blessed to have benefitted from her wisdom and nurturing well into their adulthood.
Joyce had a quiet competitiveness, whether it was during a family board game, a round of bridge with friends, watching her beloved Toronto Blue Jays or executing a master class in the game of Scrabble with any and every challenger, right up to the age of 99!
As wonderful hosts, many friends and family will have memories of Joyce and Jim entertaining regularly at the farm, and later at their home in Westdale and then at the condo in Dundas. Whether a Falco reunion of 200 or an intimate dinner with friends, Joyce always brought a special refined touch to ensure a delicious meal, fun and a beautiful ambiance. And she was always ready for guests, with cookies or chocolates and some tea or wine stashed away just in case.
Joyce carried herself with stoicism and grace. She was a strong and independent woman, courageous in her convictions. She was a role model for all and along with Jim has left a legacy of focusing on what matters: family, friendship, health, community, learning and fun.
The family extends a special thanks to Drs. Prangley, George, and Misiaszek, the staff at Juravinski Hospital and to caregivers Mandy, Pat, Flora, Jocelyn, Tammy, Cynthia and Katherine for their dedication and compassionate care.
Friends and family are welcome to join in celebrating Joyce’s life at St. James Anglican Church, Dundas, on Tuesday February 11 at 11:00am. If you can, please wear a touch of pink to honour Joyce’s favourite colour and that special Valentine’s Day dance back in 1955.
A reception will follow at the Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club.
To help celebrate Joyce’s life, we encourage you to send your support to Roots of Empathy – an organization that Joyce admired and that “develops empathy in children today so they can build the world that they deserve.”
A lovely tribute to a wonderful woman, whose grace extended to so many. Condolences to her family and all who mourn her death, even as we all give thanks for her life so well lived.
Thank you for giving such a lovely and informative précis of Joyce’s life We knew her as Paul’s mom. We cannot attend the funeral but I will wear pink next Tuesday as we give thanks for a life well lived and a lady who added grace to the lives of who knew her.
Knowing one of Joyce’s formidable children, Liz, and having heard many tales, I am grieved to learn of her passing. Undoubtedly, however, she made a very positive impact through her life via her many pursuits and through the strong family she built. Sending love to all the family.
I always admired aunt Joyce and her smile and love will be with our entire extended family for the rest of our days.
My wishes to the Falco family.
A wonderful informative description of Joyce Falco. I must say She was gracious, and her greatest achievement was raising, with husband Jim, the talented, kind, successful family of sons and daughters.
Chris Simpson, Mackenzie BC
Joyce will always be remembered by her loving smile; by her welcome to everyone she met; by the successful brood that she raised to become incredible adults; and as Uncle Jim’s confidant and life long companion. She has made a great impact on so many family and friends.
What a beautiful tribute to your mother! Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim were truly one of a kind and lived an extraordinary life together with so many friends and family around them. I will always remember my sleep overs at the Farm with Barb, Liz and Paul very fondly! Listening to Uncle Jim’s stories, eating peas from the pod and trying to get shocked by the electrical fence!! I remember Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim talking about the importance of eating your fruits and vegetables, exercising and getting a good nights sleep! They were pioneers ahead of their time! My deepest condolences to all. R.I.P. Aunt Joyce ❤️
My deepest condolences to the family, especially, Chris, Barb and Elizabeth, childhood friends.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul.
Joyce always made me feel welcome and special in her home. I will never forget that.
Joyce and Jim were close friends of Wilson and Ruth Lucas when they lived in Hamilton.
I was their daughter in law married to their son Ted who died in 1988.
I remember Joyce fondly. Please accept my sympathy.
I found Joyce’s obituary because a relative is being buried from Turner’s tomorrow.
What a life Aunt Joyce lived! What accomplishments! She was so accomplished in so many ways. In a time which was much simpler the aunts, uncles and, of course, the cousins would congregate at the farm where Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim would welcome all of us with graciousness and open arms. She lived her life with grace and a quiet passion. Please accept our condolences and prayers for Aunt Joyce and for the whole Falco family at this difficult time.
Probably, I have the shortest relationship with Joyce of the people who will be at her Celebration of Life. Joyce and I connected through her daughter a few years ago, because for Joyce’s birthday she wanted to surprise her with a virtual visit with me. It turns out that Joyce and I shared a love of children, their wellbeing and education. Joyce was well ahead of her time in her ideas of young children. We had an instant connection, and I was honored that Joyce knew my book inside out. I am grateful that Joyce was a generous supporter of Roots of Empathy, a children’s charity that I founded.
To be able to be 99 years old and still operate with informed intelligence and joy is a marvel and Joyce was marvelous. She knew how to love well, and her family loved her well in return. Condolences to Joyce’s loving family and you have some wonderful gene inheritance there.
From all of the Minga Cafe staff in Dunnville
Sending our heartfelt condolences and support to Barb, Reza and family and all of the Falco family and friends.
A beautiful tribute of an incredible woman and role model…a life well lived almost making it to 100!!
What an incredible tribute to a remarkable woman! I send all 200+ relatives (!) my sincere condolences. And a special hug to her daughter Liz, a dear friend who certainly possesses many of her late mother’s talents and traits. May you all find comfort knowing she has been reunited with her Valentine’s – just in time for Valentine’s. xo