Joyce (Brown) Burkitt was born on her grandfather's farm in the Prairiedale District just outside of Vanderhoof in the year of 1937. She was raised in Hixon and went to a one-room school from Grade 3 to Grade 8. Joyce graduated and went on to take her training as a school teacher. She started her 33-year teaching career in Reid Lake, teaching in a one-room school and then on to various other schools in Prince George.
It was in the community of Reid Lake, 55 years ago that she met and married young Charlie Burkitt. Charlie worked as a jail guard and a corrections officer for 25 years until he retired. Joyce says, "We are as local as you can get. We were both born in the Prince George area and we have spent our entire life here."
Together they raised three children Tom, Bev Misch and Roy all of whom live here in Prince George. Joyce proudly says, "We have six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren with four more on the way!"
Charlie and Joyce are both enjoying their retirement. Joyce explains, "When Charlie retired he decided on his own to take over as the chief cook and bottle washer and I let him. He does all the gardening and everything around the yard and the house and I love him for it. We have both come to realize over the years that we are not good in the kitchen together. He does things his mothers' way and I do things my mothers' way and some how they just don't match.
"I spend my time volunteering and I currently sing in two choirs. I lead the Good News Bible Club at my church and I find that particularly rewarding. I am also the director of the Gospel Singers Choir at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre (ECRA). The group was formed approximately 15 years ago; we had eight members back then and today we have 28 members. Our choir members are all volunteers and we sing at all the senior homes, funerals and churches and any event where we can make the day a bit brighter for any one that hears our music."
Joyce said, "The Gospel Singers hold two fundraising concerts a year with all the proceeds going to the operating expenses of the senior centre. If you have never attended one of our concerts please come and enjoy the music and fellowship of our next show. We will be singing many of Elvis Presley's gospel favorites on Saturday, April 26th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 27th at 2 p.m. We will be featuring pipers from the Prince George Pipe Band, Dan Watt on guitar and our favorite Prince George Elvis. The address is 1692 Tenth Ave. (on 10th Ave. between Winnipeg and Vancouver St.). Admission is $10 for adults with complimentary refreshments right after the show; hard of hearing headsets will be available at the door."
April birthdays that I know about are: Donna Bosnich, Clasina Van Adrichem, Patrick Stapleton, Fern Roberts, Judith Elmquist, Ken Stahl, Sharon Ford, Lillie (Khin Sein) Sein, Hazel Blackburn, Laurie Rustad, Barb Endean, Frank Porter, Spence Baker, Patsy Patterson, Avril Barr, Sandra Dingwall, Iris Peters, Gertrude Lansing, Diane Duperron, John Frenkel, Lothar Hirt, Charlie Burkitt, Shirley Gratton, Joyce Burkitt, Shirley Green, Terry Carter, Marion Watt, Wendy Harrington, Hilliard Clare, Allen Soltis, Angie Hoksbergen, Lloyd Clay, Ben Leer, Stan Cook, Mary Ellen Duperron, Gert Lefebvre, Joan Frechette, Joyce Grantham, Beverley Horne, Dorothy Wood, Anne Crawford, Kathy Balcom, Sharon Ford, Sandy Moseley, Lyn Solmonson, Robin Earle, Jim Sweeney, Marvin Wilson, Joyce Allen, Glen Horning, Jaon Andres, Rene Joly, George Kivi, Viviene Lalplante , Ellen Loughery, Merdo Boaiak, Bob MacPhee, Rosemary Burns, Andres Norum, Art Carter, Leona Nyberg, Bill Chappel, Ginny Parsons, Margaret Cosh, Mary Duperron, Beatrice Raboca, Lynda Snyder, Roderick Herd, Grace Spears, Harold Hewlett, Maxine Valpy, Peter Norman, Eunice Warring, Edwina Babs, Pearl Blood, Carol Zogas, June Woyciehouski, Linda Gurvey, Lorne Schreiner and Joan Millens.
April Anniversaries: 61 years for Joe and Sophie Chartrand, 55 years for Ben and Vi Leer, 50 years for Armand and Doreen Denicola, 51 years for Greg and Alice Friend and 13 years for Leonard and Mary Duperron.
