Obituary of Joy Doreen Gates

Gates, Joy Doreen, 99 Sydney, NS We unwillingly have to say goodbye to the oldest member of our small family. Joy left us on Monday, October 17, 2022, in the loving company of her family and in the comfort of Hospice Cape Breton, NS. Joy was the eldest daughter of late Charles and Kathleen (Abbott) Puttick, England. Joy served in the Military in the 2nd World War for several years before coming to Canada in 1965 with her husband Henry. They both loved Cape Breton for the beauty and people, and love of their family. Together they started a small family business for many years (Henry’s T.V. Repairs and Rentals). Later Joy worked for the Coastal Courier, writing articles, and taking photos. She loved it because she met so many people. Joy belonged to many clubs and groups including, Glace Bay Historical Society, Glace Bay Garden Club, Glace Bay Painters Group, Red Hats, Bird Watchers, and SPCA and PAWS Mart, The War Brides, to name a few. Her true love was animals, she always had a dog and cat, these were her babies, for she had no children of her own. Besides her parents, Joy was predeceased by her husband Henry in 1986, and only sister Hazel Puttick, England; best friend, and sister-in-law Ruth Moore; nephews Stephen and Reginald Moore; niece Sarah (Archie) Smith. Joy is survived by nieces Ruth (Harold) Martell, Glace Bay and Anita (Bruce) Hempill, Pictou; nephews Elbert and Arthur Starling; grandnieces Lisa (Harold) MacNeil, Sydney, and Heather (Mark) Masters, Lower Sackville; great-grandnieces Faith MacNeil (Billy), Sydney and Katie MacKegney, Lower Sackville; grandnephew Chris McNeil, Halifax; great-grandnephew Jason McNeil, Halifax; great-grandniece Bethany McNeil, Halifax. Joy is also survived by her dog Pippa and her cat Lulu, Joy loved them, and they loved her more. The family wish to thank all the Dr.’s and staff at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, for their kindness and care. We also want to thank the staff at Hospice Cape Breton, they were wonderful, kind, caring, and we want you to know that it did not go unnoticed. What a wonderful place it is. We would also like to thank EHS for their services, you went above and beyond. Lisa there are no words or thanks enough to give or say to you. You have been our rock from day one, and before! No power, no heat, no phone, no gas, nothing stopped this woman, I (mom) leaned on you for everything. From all of us. (Dog and Cat too!) Cremation has taken place under the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, NS. 902-849-4199. As per Joy’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Donations may be made to the Glace Bay Foodbank or Glace Bay Historical Society. Words of comfort may be expressed to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com. God Bless