TONA

God so loved her; He called her home.

On April 24, 2025, in the quiet of the night, the angels came to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre and quietly whispered her name – Joyce Lorraine Tona (née Hinde) – it’s time.  Joyce joyfully went to her eternal life, and to see, once again, her loving husband Jim.

Joyce was a gift to Joe and Rosie Hinde, born into their farming family.  She learned at a young age how to manage horses and farm equipment, that by our standards today would be considered primitive.  In  fact, her dad often remarked that Joyce could get the horse and binder through the potholes or bumps in the field very well, “But she always forgot about me in the back!  I spent more time in the air than birds!”  Joyce’s brother Joe arrived seven years later, and the family was complete.

Joyce began her education in a one-room schoolhouse at the Grand Court School near Elnora, Alberta, which was a quick run down the hill from her house.  She completed high school in Trochu, Alberta, close to home.  

Her love of school helped Joyce choose her career as a school teacher, as well as a piano teacher upon the completion of her musical studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music.  Her first teaching position was in Rimbey, teaching Grade 3.  She always appreciated the opportunity to board with the Leboldus and Hoffman families. 

Her fellow teacher, Eva Tona, decided Joyce would make a great catch for Eva’s nephew, Jim Tona, and the set-up was on!  They married = matchmaking successful!  Donna, Diane, and Cindy made up the young family.

In later years, Jim was always happy to get away to bull sales, as he said, “Everything on the farm was female:  the cows, chickens, dog, horses, and all those girls in the house!”  Soon after Diane was born they were told she had profound life challenges, and after much study, doctor consultations, and tears, Diane began living at Mitchener Centre where she still resides today – comfortable, in good health, and much loved.  Joyce eventually retired from teaching, but continued as a substitute teacher and taught music in her home for over twenty years.

Working together, both Joyce and Jim built a successful grain and cattle operation and brought purebred Charolais to the farm to start new adventures.  In their retirement they travelled, went on cruises, ventured overseas, and spent a great deal of time enjoying their moments together.  Joyce touched many lives through her musical and volunteer efforts at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, the Community Chorus, in addition to the Rimbey Lions Club, where Joyce was bestowed with the highest honour of a Melvin Jones Fellowship within the club.  Joyce will be remembered for helping the neighbourhood ladies learn to drive, her horsemanship, her fair disposition, and her great, big heart.  She was an amazing wife, mom, and mother-in-law and will be dearly missed.

Joyce leaves to join her beloved husband Jim; her parents Joe and Rosie; her brother Joe; parents-in-law Peter and Fara; and her son-in-law Ray.  She entrusts the stories of her life to Donna (Lyndon), Cindy, and Diane; along with her sisters-in-law Carollyne (Bob), and Marylin (Gene); her goddaughter Holly (Tom); special friends Bill Geertsma, Dawn Nesbitt, and Laverne (Michelle) Oberhammer; as well as several nieces and nephews; other extended family members; and many additional friends.  She thanks all of you who impacted her life of 88 years!

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Rimbey on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Father Leon Kler, Celebrant.  The family wishes everyone to dress casually and comfortably.  A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow.  A private Family Interment Service will be held later at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Bluffton.  At Joyce’s request, memorial donations may be made in her memory directly to the Rimbey Lions Club, Box 326, Rimbey, Alberta  T0C 2J0.  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page. 

Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Joyce Lorraine Tona (née Hinde) entrusted to the care of