Obituary of Joye Robichaud
The family of Daisy “Joye” Robichaud (nee Drillen) regretfully announce her passing on the 17th of May 2023. Joye was born on the 25th of March 1940, in Saint John, NB; a daughter of the late Earle Drillen and Gertrude (Higgins) (Drillen) Bernard and loving wife of the late Lionel Robichaud.
Joye graduated in 1958 from Vocational School. She had worked for Gill & Company, Dobson Chrysler and also the provincial government in the Department of Income Assistance until her retirement. In her younger years, Joye was a member of the Murray MacLaren Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) for more than 25 years, where she held several positions including treasurer, secretary and services officer. She participated in the ladies bowling league at the Fairview Lanes and the Good Time Bowling League at the Bowlarama, as well as Tuesday night Bingo. She enjoyed spending summers camping at Grand Lake and Pine Cone trailer parks, and she had a passion for flower gardening and tending to her beautiful hanging flower baskets that surrounded the entrance to her home every summer.
Joye and her lifelong friend Marilyn McNichol volunteered with Book Mobile at the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) and they also went to Ceramics in Lorneville, NB, creating many fun memories together. Joye also took pleasure in reminiscing of her teenage years with Elaine Bartlett with whom she shared a special friendship since the age of 5 years old. Although Elaine lives in Ontario, this friendship remained solid. Once a month they would phone each other to catch up and share some laughs. Joye was often nostalgic and shared memories of her late husband Lionel with whom she was married for 48 years when he passed away in 2011. There was not one day since his passing that she did not speak about Lionel and how much she missed him.
Joye was known for her incredible mathematical mind and also, a fantastic historian of days gone by; especially of the “old” North End with perfect memory of people, places and dates. Joye was a huge fan of Canadian Curling and never missed watching the Tim Hortons Brier, Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the World Championships.
Joye is survived by her daughters Kelly (Carl) Buckley and grandson Drew (Ashley) and two great grandchildren Madison and Cohen Buckley of Rothesay; Kyla (Andrew) Bishop of Quispamsis; son Kray (Lynne) Robichaud and grandchildren Dagan, Declan, Caelyn, and Reeghan Robichaud of Eastern Passage, NS; sister Judy (Steve) Gogan and sister-in-law Theresa Leonard, along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Joye was predeceased by her brother Terry Bernard, sister Sandra (Drillen) Ellis and her beloved cat, Holly in 2020.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Chris O’Brien, Carolyn Ramsey RN (charge nurse) and to the entire Palliative Care Team of Nurses and Support Staff of 3BN at the SJRH for their outstanding professionalism and comprehensive care.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Rd. Quispamsis, NB, (506-849-2119). In keeping with Joye’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A private graveside service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances to the Palliative Care Unit (3BN) at the Saint John Regional Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
