Joyce Marion Banga (nee Bodnar) of Stockholm, Saskatchewan passed away March 21, 2022 at Centennial Special Care Home in Esterhazy at the age of 88 years. Joyce was the first-born child to John and Mary (nee Fazekas) Bodnar on September 10, 1933. She spent her formative years on the family farm near Stockholm, SK. working and playing with her younger siblings. Following her graduation from Grade 12, Joyce stepped into the classroom, this time as a Study Supervisor in response to the teacher shortage. Within months of starting her first teaching job, Joyce married Steve Banga on November 10, 1952, and together raised five children. While caring for her family, Joyce continued to fill teaching positions, worked as the Librarian in Stockholm, and ended her working career as the Parish Secretary of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church. Joyce was a mother first and a teacher second to none. She continued to teach her family and friends throughout her life on a variety of subjects including her heritage. She had an inherent love for gardening, yard work, flowers, baking, cooking, reading and travelling. Her parish, community and educational leadership made the world a better place as attested by her many students, church parishioners, and residents of Stockholm and its’ rural district. Her life has been very full, with hard work and hardship, but most of all, great joy. Her prayer life was devoted daily to praying for her family and dear friends near and far. Her family was devoted to her and very proud of her life accomplishments, a legacy recorded in community and family history books and her autobiography, So Joyce Says…
She was predeceased by her husband, Steve; daughter, Cynthia; parents, John and Mary Bodnar; sister, Doreen; brother, Robert; parents-in-law Steve and Mary Banga, and numerous uncles, aunts, sisters- and brothers-in-law.
Left with cherished memories are her family: son, Philip (Sheila) Banga; daughters, Carol (Reg) Closson, Pamela (Darrell) Knourek, and Susan (Grant) Protz. Grandchildren: Luke (Danielle) Banga, Tyler (Stefanie) Knourek, Devin (Stephanie Rae) Closson, Kaleigh (Brian) Churko, James Knourek (Harlie Deering), Deanne Closson (Tyson Harris), Jayson (Kara) Protz, and Dawn (Connor) Martin. Great grandchildren: Cassandra, Elizabeth, Jaxon, Sophia, William, Jocelyn, Georgia, Cameron, Kendyl, Wesley, Rylynn, Andrew, Olivia, William, Makenna, and Jaydon; sister Elaine (Alan) Goranson; sisters-in-law Dorothy Banga and Kathy (Raymond) Shivak; uncle James (Stella) Fazekas; aunt Dorothy Fazekas; four Godchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and many friends that were considered family.
In adding a new chapter to So Joyce Says… and using your words in previous chapters, the ending might look like this:
Your family and friends recognize the hardships you endured and cherish the lasting legacy you established for each one of us and everything you touched. Be assured you will be in our daily prayers and be forever remembered. We hope you will look down on all of us from Heaven and smile.
May you Rest in Peace.