NELLES, Muriel Joy - At the age of 98, Joy Nelles passed away on Monday, February 5, peacefully and comfortably under the wonderful care of the dedicated staff at Upper Canada Lodge in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Dr. Karen Berti.
Joy and Tom (predeceased) adopted Niagara-on-the-Lake 43 years ago. An avid and award-winning golfer and curler, Joy brought much joy to her friends, neighbours and neighbourhood. She was an ardent and passionate supporter of the Niagara-the-Lake Hospital, its Library and the Shaw Festival.
Joy, graduated from McDonald College, McGill University, Montreal, and became the head dietitian and one of Bell Canada’s first female executive managers. After moving to Ottawa, she became a strong supporter and advocate for building the Ottawa Children’s Hospital. Calling on her skills as a dietician and her love of entertaining, she authored a cook book, appropriately called “Cooking with Joy,” which given the diplomatic nature of Ottawa sold worldwide. All proceeds were directed to support the hospital for “her” children. In this effort she joined forces with Ottawa CTV broadcaster Sandra McKee to help Ottawa’s Children’s Hospital become a reality. Coincidently and much later, Sandra now “Sandy Hindsmith,” moved to NOTL only to find that Joy was her next door neighbour!
Joy will be missed by all her Niagara-on-the-Lake and Florida friends. Joy and Tom had no children but will be dearly remembered by her adoptive Norwegian family Christian and Gretha Hjorth-Johansen; her best friend Sandy Hindsmith; Judy Robinson and Rob Robinson of Owen Sound; as well as her sister-in-law, Minna Planche (Toronto); her niece, Susan Carrier (Toronto); her nephews, Greg (Beate) Planche (Newmarket), Doug (Helena) Planche (Mississauga) and Chris Planche (Canmore, Alberta), along with Ron (Jill) Planche (Niagara Falls).
It was Joy’s request to be cremated and to be interred next to Tom at St. Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at that time.
Donations in Joy’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements in care of MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the Lake.

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