Peacefully, at Blue Water Rest Home on Sunday, March 1, 2020, a long-time resident of Goderich, in her 80th year. Predeceased by her parents, David Rasiah and Magdalene Thamary (Vasagam) Devadason and her late husband of 23 years, Solomon Appavoo. Loved mother of Samuel (Donna) and Jonathan (Ann) Appavoo. Cherished grandmother of Solomon, Danielle, Shanti, and Rajaratnam Appavoo; dear sister of John (Maggie) Devadason and Irene (Bunty) Selvadurai. Survived by several nieces and nephews.

Joy began her journey on August 1, 1939 in the Maradana a suburb of Colombo, the capital city of the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka. Given that Joy’s life would be defined by her travels across this planet it is fitting that it began in one of the primary railway hubs of the country. Joy’s study of botany at Aquinas University College in her early years would sustain her lifelong passion for flowers and gardening. Perhaps it was the tropical flowers of her youth that inspired her love of color that was the hallmark of the way she expressed herself.

On June 1, 1963 she married her husband, Solomon Appavoo. Over the next five years they travelled across India until Solomon retired from the Indian Air Force. In May of 1964 she had her first son Samuel. In 1968, she emigrated to Germany with her husband and young son. In 1970 she gave birth to her second son Jonathan. Following in the footsteps of their brothers and sisters Joy and her family migrated to Canada in 1973. Canada became the country she would call home.

During her life in Canada Joy has been a seamstress and bookkeeper in Guelph, and the owner and shopkeeper of “Joy’s Variety” in Paris, Ontario. After closing the store, she again worked as a seamstress in Cambridge. Joy’s faith in Christ was constant and never failed. This faith sustained her through the loss of her husband in 1986 and to the day she died. After ensuring her sons where well raised with a dedication to serve others she cared for her parents in Hamilton. 

After her parents moved to a nursing home, Joy courageously, at the age of 52, began pursuing a career in nursing. With the pride and admiration of her family in 1994 she graduated as a Registered Practical Nurse. Sadly after graduation she got a severe attack of Rheumatoid Arthritis that would progressively rob her of her health. In 1996 she moved to Goderich to take up her role as a dedicated grandmother to Solomon, and Danielle Appavoo. For several years she escaped to Arizona to ease the burden of surviving winter weather with her health challenges. Over her 24 years in Goderich Joy has become an important fixture in many peoples hearts. Shanti, and Rajaratnam Appavoo, Joy’s younger grandchildren, have enjoyed their treks to see her in Goderich. 

The last five years of her life were spent under the loving care of the staff at Bluewater Rest Home in Zurich as she battled Alzheimer’s. We are forever grateful to all the staff for their dedication and love. We hope that all of us can remember and be inspired by Joy’s infectious smile and willingness to share it under any circumstance. 

Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 49 Goshen Street North, ZURICH on Saturday, March 7^th from 1 – 3 PM. A memorial service to celebrate Joy’s life will be held at a later date.

Donations to the Anglican Mission in Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Condolences for the family of “APPAVOO: Joy Beatrice Jemima (Devadason) of Goderich, formerly of Paris, Ontario”

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