Joyce Lorraine Shymanski Mykytiuk, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, devout Catholic, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Thousand Oaks, California on August 29, 2026.

Joyce was born in Noranda, Quebec on August 2, 1939, to the late Frank and Rose Shymanski, and later raised in Burnaby, British Columbia.

She grew up to be a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, intelligence, kindness, and a wonderful sense of humor. She was never someone who needed to command a room. Joyce was more likely to quietly observe it then offer a thoughtful—or spot-on funny—comment when the moment called for it. She was a loyal friend, kind to strangers, and someone who cared deeply for the people around her. A devout Catholic throughout her life, she was longtime parishioner of St. Paschal’s Church in Thousand Oaks, CA. Her faith was an important and steady part of who she was. She was full of love.

Joyce began her career as a nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia and later at North Toronto General Hospital and East Toronto General Hospital. She discovered that pediatric nursing was particularly close to her heart, which was not surprising to anyone who knew her love of babies. She eventually left nursing to pursue something she wanted even more: raising a family. Later, after her children were almost grown, Joyce returned to the working world and built a successful career as an underwriter and project manager at Blue Shield, where she worked until she retired at the age of 69.

Joyce met her husband, Basil Mykytiuk, at a party, even though she and her friends had sworn they would never date engineers. Fortunately, Joyce made an exception. The two were married in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 16, 1962, and shared 64 years of marriage. Their life took them from Vancouver to Toronto, then to Canoga Park, CA; Coquitlam, BC; and eventually Thousand Oaks, CA, where they settled and remained together until Joyce's passing.

Joyce had an eye for beautiful things. As a young woman, Joyce loved fashion and would carefully save her money for whatever fashion piece caught her eye. That interest eventually led her to sewing, and over the years she made clothing for herself and her children, including memorable matching shirts for a family vacation, and later, quilting for her grandchildren.

Joyce also dreamed of seeing the world. Her opportunity came later in life when she won a trip to Italy through her church, sparking a love of travel that took her and Basil to Italy, England, Israel, Jordan, and New England in the fall.

She loved the beach!

Above all, Joyce loved her family. She raised her children with love, kindness, practicality, and a firm belief in nutrition and living healthy.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Frank Shymanski; her mother, Rose Shymanski; and her sister, Margaret Shymanski.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Basil Mykytiuk; her four children, Karen McDonough, Julie Fraser (Don), Susan Connolly (Liam), and Brian Mykytiuk (Lindy); brother Don Shymanski and sister Leanne Anderson; and her 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Joyce lived her life quietly, faithfully, and with great love for her family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

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