Shockey Roots

On June 9, 2022, Heaven received a very special angel in the shape of our beautiful Mom and Grandma, Joyce Kathleen Loraas (nee Colborn, formerly Shockey) at the age of 89. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer 6 weeks ago and when pain became too difficult to manage she chose to leave on her own terms with a medically assisted death. With her dignity intact she took her last breath from the comfort of her own bed, surrounded by her loving family. Thanks to the caring doctors involved with the MAID program for making this possible.
Mom was the 3rd of 4 children and loved growing up on the farm. There was room to roam and lots of love and music in their home. Numerous instruments were played and oh, how they loved to sing! Mom and sister Jean sang duets together and recalled performing at an early age on the old Roxy theatre stage on 20th Street. Their voices blended so beautifully and I’m sure they are singing together once again, in Heavens’ choir. Her pretty face, charming smile and gentle heart caught the eye of her sisters-in-law tall, handsome brother Glen Shockey. On May 22 1953, they married and built their 1st home together in Saskatoon where they in the years to come raised their 3 young children.
Mom loved family so it didn’t take long for her Shockey sisters-in-law to become some of her best friends. They fondly referred to themselves as the 4 Musketeers and shared a lot of fun times together, especially at the farm near Vanscoy. As a mother, she gave so much of herself to make us feel loved and cared for yet was stern when she needed to be. So many of the values and morals we live by were instilled by the examples she set and lessons she taught. Mom volunteered countless hours with the CCF/NDP, working towards the vision of a better Saskatchewan, teaching us about the importance of working to make change.
After sharing a wonderful 23 years together, life took its toll and their marriage came to an end in 1977. Holding her head high with class and grace she moved forward with resiliency and strength. We were so grateful that over the years, Mom and Dad remained friends for the sake of our family. What a great lesson in the power of love and forgiveness.
In 1979 while working at Eaton’s, Mom met John Loraas, the charming cousin of her friend Eloise. Their love was quick to blossom and after living together for many years, got married on July 25, 1992. She loved to dance, travel and garden and she found the perfect partner in her Johnnie. Mom inherited her father’s green thumb and took great pride in their beautiful home and yard on Sturgeon Drive. She was so proud when it was featured in a gardening magazine in 2006.
Mom loved spending time with her family. She was a great hostess and had such a welcoming home. She was always looking for ways to make our lives better and lighten our load. She adored her grandchildren and they loved spending time with her. She always had treats on hand, she supported them in their activities and was always ready with a cuddle or helping hand. She was so proud of us all.
John recognized how blessed he was to have this classy, kind and loving woman at his side. His love was expressed in little notes he left for her each morning. Theirs was a beautiful love story that lasted 38 years until John passed away in 2017. After, she found comfort in re-reading these notes and told us he was the great love of her life. When we read his words to her, it was clear he felt the same way. Her kind and loving spirit brought out the gentle side in him. After his passing, one of his long time friends said to Mom “You gave us the best John”.
Our family was blessed to have this amazing woman as its matriarch and role model…our very own “Queen Mom” as she was often referred. She exuded class and grace in everything she did and always took such pride in her appearance, her home and her family. She was good at many things but what she did best was LOVE. Her eyes lit up when she saw you, she loved without judgment and was always there to lend a helping hand, whether friend or stranger. She was “Mom” to many because her kindness and affection was so sincere.
During her last few days, she listened to beautiful words expressed by her grandchildren about the depth of their love for her and the positive impact she had on their lives. We told her, “This is your legacy, Mom. This is the imprint your love and kindness has left on all our hearts. Your legacy of love is priceless and will live on for generations to come.” She will be missed beyond measure but remains in the hearts of those who were blessed with the precious gift of her love.Love you forever, love you for always.
Joyce is survived by her children Diane Jalbert (Rene), Glenda Bell (Lorne) and David Shockey (Heidi). Grandchildren Clint Young (Christin, children Claire and Connor), Nicole Jalbert (Abner Sanchez) and Allison Mercier (Josh, daughter Paisley), Kellen (Amanda), Adam (Hope) and Matthew Bell, Brittany (Julian), Briana (Reid) and Thea (Lucas) Shockey. Brothers Keith (Norma) and Clifford (Marian) Colbom, brother-in-law Cliff (Sylvie) Shockey, sisters-in-law Shirley (Harvey) and Eleanor Ryan plus many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband John Loraas (2017), parents George Henry (Harry) and Reta Colborn; sister Jean Saunders, sisters-in-law, Anne, Joyce (Jo) and Lil Shockey, brothers-in-law Gerald Ehr, Gerald Shockey, Howard Ryan, Hal Shockey, Verne Shockey, Frank Saunders, and first husband Glen Shockey (2021)
A Celebration of this amazing woman will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Cavalier. The service will be livestreamed and can by accessed at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be shared with the family. For those wishing donations made in memory of Joyce to the Saskatoon Community Clinic Foundation or the Saskatoon Cancer Society (www.saskcancer.ca) would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.
Published on June 18, 2022