Joyce Cuddie passed away peacefully at Cascade Place in Enumclaw, on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at age 90. Faith in Jesus sustained Joyce throughout her long life. Never- ending generosity and an infectious positivity characterized her spirit.
On August 6, 1933 Joyce Katharine Armbruster was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Carl and Ida (Schmidt) Armbruster. Her growing-up years, the 30s and 40s, were spent in small towns across Alberta. When modern technology seemed incomprehensible, Joyce would often say, “I grew up in the horse and buggy days”.
Norm McGillivray was the lucky guy who married Joyce on June 23, 1956 and the young couple moved to the north country of Whitehorse, Yukon. Their first two children,
Maureen and Mark, were born in Whitehorse in 1958 and 1960 respectively. In June 1961 the four of them immigrated to the United States and initially settled in Seattle. The family grew to six as Gary and Glenda arrived in 1963 and 1964. The beautiful Enumclaw plateau became home in 1967.
Joyce had worked as a telephone operator in Canada and continued in that line at work at Pacific Northwest Bell, reportedly her favorite job due to the camaraderie. She flourished in numerous small business enterprises throughout the years. Joyce’s gift of gab served her well in all her endeavors.
A highlight of Joyce and Norm’s life together was their three month stay in Jerusalem in 1983. Norm passed away in December 1991. After 12 years of widowhood Joyce found another lucky man, Glenn “Buzz” Cuddie. They married on May 10, 2003, and had seven happy years of travel and enjoyment of their combined families before Buzz passed away in July 2010.
Family was of paramount importance to Joyce. She is survived by her siblings: Allen (Lena) Armbruster, Ruth (Rob) McKerihan, Roger (Marge) Armbruster, and Faith (Len) Frank; her children: Maureen (Bob) Burwell, Mark (Janet) McGillivray, Gary (Jan) McGillivray, and Glenda Kerry; her grandchildren: Kelsey Morfitt, Megann (Anthony) Johnson, Molly McGillivray, Rachael (Matt) Sylvester, Marci (Jamaal) Walton and Marcus McGillivray; her great-grandchildren: Zaya, Jax, Genny, Zadie and Krew; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Ida; her Tante Martha Schimel; her first husband, Norm; her second husband, Buzz, and her beloved sister, Joan Krey.
The family is extremely grateful to the caregivers and staff at Cascade Place for their steadfast care of Joyce for more than two years, and to Envision Hospice for their compassionate support during the final days of her life. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Gary McGillivray, 7602 146th Ave Ct E, Sumner, WA 98390. Funds raised will be used to provide tangible therapeutic support for the hard working, loving staff at Cascade Place, who are grieving the loss of Joyce as well as many other residents of late.
A celebration of Joyce’s life was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Wabash Presbyterian Church. Please share a memory of Joyce on the tribute wall at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.
