It is with great sadness that Joy’s family announces her peaceful passing on July 31, 2023, in Toronto, ON at age 88. She was pre-deceased by her devoted husband of 45 years, Stanley Hunt Fulford, sisters Shirley Joyce (Samuel Patterson) and Olga Francia (Norman Bell). Joy is survived by her seven nephews, three nieces and their immediate families, which include a multitude of grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Joy had a great love of family, and her extensive collection of family photos and memorabilia is a testament to her deep commitment to family. She and her late husband were dedicated to preserving their ancestors’ histories and safeguarding those memories for future generations.

As a graduate of the University of Toronto, Joy was an esteemed primary school educator with the Etobicoke Board of Education. In 1989 she received a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the Institute of Child Study. Joy began her career as a much-adored Kindergarten teacher and one of her greatest pleasures was working with young children and their families who remembered her long after the children were grown. When she later became a primary school consultant, her passion for teaching provided inspiration and guidance to countless young teachers whom she mentored throughout her highly regarded career.

Joy was a devout Anglican and lifelong member of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church. She was the longest-standing parishioner in the St. Martin’s family. Joy’s contributions to the parish started in her youth as a member of the church choir alongside her father, Roy Jennings. She was always active in parish life, including fundraising, parish trips, sitting on advisory boards, including a stint as a Church Warden. Joy’s enthusiasm for history was perhaps best demonstrated by her work on the church’s archives, culminating in the creation of a publication documenting the first 125 years of St. Martin’s. Joy also used her appreciation of art to volunteer in an art outreach program through Out Of The Cold at All Saints Church.

Music was one of Joy’s great interests; she was an accomplished pianist. She also was a skilled bridge player, a wonderful cook and a gracious hostess who enjoyed entertaining. Her affection for dogs was legendary and she often regaled relatives with tales of her past adventures with various four-legged friends.

Joy’s travels over the years took her to Jamaica, the British Isles and the U.S. She and Stan spent many happy summers at their cottage in Minden (Haliburton), ON. Joy’s entire life was spent in Etobicoke, including the past year at The Village of Humber Heights, a retirement residence that incorporates a former school building where Joy once consulted with teachers.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the VHH staff for their excellent support, care and compassion. A funeral will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto, ON, with visitation an hour prior. A private burial at Park Lawn Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joy’s memory to the World Wildlife Fund Canada (wwf.ca/donate/), The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (stmartininthefields.ca/donate/), or your favorite charity for education, would be appreciated.